SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

WAKE COUNTY ELECTRONICS

RECYCLINGE-SUMMIT

OCTOBER 22, 2001

Kelley Dennings

First - Started by researching markets and legislationSecond - Implemented a one-day computer recycling event in association with our Holiday Wrap-Up - logistics, type and amount of material received, and cost of program Third - Implemented a permanent computer recycling program at our North Wake Multi-Material Drop-Off Facility - logistics, type and amount of material received, and cost of program

Last - Future Initiatives

STRATEGIC STEPS

RESEARCHED MARKETS AND LEGISLATION

•32 computer recycling or reuse outlets 10 thrift stores in Wake County15 local, state and national recyclers of non-working computers, 6 local non-profits that donate refurbished computers•RCRA Hazardous Waste Rules Wake County will not allow commercial generators of computer monitors to dispose of them in the landfill or transfer station without doing a hazardous waste determination study

HOLIDAY WRAP- UPIt is an annual drop-off recycling event for wrapping paper, cards, magazines, polystyrene, cardboard, chipboard, and Christmas trees.Staff decided the event was a good opportunity to implement a new material for recycling such as computer equipment.

BEFORE ONE-DAY EVENTSET UP

LOGISTICS OF EVENT:

•Contractor provided trailer, transportation and labor to load computers. •Wake County provided event location, publicity and paid $5.25 per monitor for recycling.

DAY OF EVENTThe event had 900 cars drive

through in 5 hours and at least half of them had computers for recycling.

We filled (1) 24 ft. U-haul, (1) pickup truck with a small trailer, and (1) 17 ft. U-haul with used computer equipment. All the material could not be hauled away at once and sat in the parking lot until it could be loaded.

TOTAL TONS RECYCLED = 14 tons (27,286 lbs.)

• Monitors = 484 @ 25 lbs. each = 12,100 lbs.• Central Processing Units (CPU) = 10,090 lbs.• Printers = 3,400 lbs.• Keyboards and Others = 1536 lbs.

TOTAL PROGRAM COST = $4126• Monitor Recycling = $2541• Staff = ~$360• Advertising = ~$1225

AFTER ONE-DAY EVENT

LOGISTICS OF ELECTRONICS RECYCLING AT MMDF

Wake County’s Permanent Computer Recycling

Program is located at the North Wake Multi-Material Drop-Off Facility (MMDF).

Our contractor handles the daily operations of the

program. The computer recycling

vendor sites a van trailer at the loading dock for the storage of the computer

equipment. When the van trailer is full, the

contractor calls the vendor who provides

transportation back to its facility.

LOGISTICS OF ELECTRONICS RECYCLING AT MMDF

The customer drives over the scales and is directed to the MMDF to drop off their material.The contractor counts each monitor that is unloaded by commercial businesses. The commercial customer receives a receipt which is taken to the scalehouse upon leaving to pay $5.00 per monitor. There is a minimum charge of $5.00 per commercial load for other equipment if there is no monitor. Residents may recycle their equipment for free.

TYPE OF ELECTRONIC MATERIAL ACCEPTED AT MMDF

If any customer has over 10 monitors per load, it is requested that they make an

appointment with the Contractor to drop them off.

Computer Monitors

Cords

Processing Units Computer Speakers

Scanners PartsPrinters KeyboardsMice Fax MachinesCopiers

STATISTICS OF ELECTRONIC RECYCLING AT MMDF

TOTAL TONS RECYCLED SINCE 9/4/01 = ~6 tons

•Monitors = 7370 lbs. •Central Processing Units (CPU) = 2616 lbs. •Printers = 1723 lbs.

Total of 11,709 lbs.ESTIMATED ANNUAL PROGRAM COST = ~$200,000

Vendor provides the storage trailer(s), transportation, and the pallets and Gaylord boxes.Wake County pays for the labor, bobcat rental, advertising, administrative costs and ~$200 per ton for recycling of the equipment.

FUTURE INITATIVES• Collect computers for recycling at the South Wake Multi- Material Drop-Off Facility.•Partner with municipalities to increase computer recycling.•Continue educating residents and businesses on computer recycling and reuse options through our web page.•Continue researching new electronic recycling markets.•Promote retail and manufacturer take-back programs.•Research the option of an Electronics Advance Disposal Fee.

CONTACT INFORMATIONWake County Solid Waste Management

Division

919-856-5277 (phone)

kdennings@co.wake.nc.us

www.co.wake.nc.us/solidwaste