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| Many types of electronic products used in the workplace and homes contain hazardous substances like lead and mercury. When these products reach the end of their useful lives or become obsolete, some are considered hazardous waste. In general, hazardous waste may not be discarded in the regular trash. Instead, it must be sent to a facility that has a permit for treatment (including recycling), storage or disposal. | Abandonment of e-waste constitutes illegal disposal
of hazardous waste and will be prosecuted. |
Electronic hazardous wastes (e-wastes) are different from industrially generated hazardous wastes in that almost every individual, institution and business generates them. Proper management and recycling of e-waste poses lower risks than managing many industrial hazardous wastes. This presentation from the 2009 CUPA conference provides a summary of what electronic wastes are, the kinds of activities that e-waste recyclers perform, classification of treatment residuals and a projected summary of the new universal waste regulations. How do I know if my e-waste is hazardous?   
State regulations require the generator of a waste to determine if it is a hazardous waste (this requirement is found in section 66262.11 of title 22 of the California Code of Regulations). Wastes are hazardous waste when they exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity or reactivity. Many electronic wastes exhibit the toxicity characteristic due to the lead content as well as other heavy metals. In addition to the four hazardous waste characteristics, DTSC has listed, in regulation, specific wastes that are presumed to be hazardous and must be managed as hazardous waste. The law does allow individuals to test specific devices to determine whether or not they are hazardous. However, in the absence of testing, all wastes listed by DTSC are presumed to be hazardous. Several categories of e-waste are included in the list; these are listed below under the heading "How do I know if my e-waste is covered by the Electronic Waste Recycling Act?" Law, tests, fact sheets and reports on e-wastes How do I know if my e-waste is covered by the Electronic Waste Recycling Act (and therefore needs to be handled differently?) As part of its implementation of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act, DTSC has tested certain types of electronic devices to determine which would be hazardous waste when discarded; only video display devices that DTSC determines "are presumed to be, when discarded, a hazardous waste" are potentially covered by the act. Currently these devices include: - cathode ray tube (CRT) devices (including televisions and computer monitors;
- LCD desktop monitors;
- laptop computers with LCD displays;
- LCD televisions;
- plasma televisions;
- portable DVD players with LCD screens (added December 31, 2006)
Note: Many electronic wastes not covered by the Electronic Waste Recycling Act are still considered hazardous wastes and may not be discarded in the regular trash. If a consumer purchases a "covered electronic device," the retailer may require the consumer to pay the recycling fee on the device. When the consumer discards a "covered electronic device," it becomes a hazardous waste, called a "covered electronic waste." Qualified e-waste collectors and recyclers may receive cost reimbursement from the fund established from the recycling fees for their management of covered electronic wastes. For more information regarding EWRA, including a listing of the devices that are covered under the law, and the regulations adopted by DTSC and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to implement the law, click here. How should I properly manage e-waste?  
California has adopted universal waste regulations for handling and transporting certain low-risk hazardous wastes. Universal wastes include televisions, computer monitors, computers and other e-wastes. The universal waste regulations also apply to other common wastes, such as fluorescent lamps, mercury-containing switches, and batteries. The management requirements specified in the universal waste regulations are easy to understand and comply with. DTSC has prepared several documents that summarize the regulations for managing universal wastes: Summary of Universal Waste (UW) Handler Requirements - September 2003 - Universal waste regulations: current (unofficial) version of chapter 23 of the California Code of Regulations, title 22
E-waste workshop for state agencies On May 20, 2009, the DTSC, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), and the Department of General Services (DGS) hosted a training workshop for state agencies on how to properly manage electronic waste. The workshop, which was aimed as personnel who make decisions about the disposition of electronic equipment for state agencies, covered several topics: • DGS’s rules for managing surplus state property;
• How to determine when surplus state property is e-waste; and
• DTSC’s rules for managing e-waste. The presentation slides from the workshop are available here. DTSC also plans to post video of the workshop for those who were unable to attend. Restrictions on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Notification and reporting for handlers of CRTs and UWEDs 
Anyone who plans to handle CRT materials or UWEDs received from an off-site source must notify DTSC at least 30 days in advance. Handlers that exceed any of the following limits in a calendar year are required to submit an annual report to DTSC: - Accept from off site more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of UWEDs
- Accept from off site more than five CRTs (i.e., picture tubes); more than five CRT devices (i.e., televisions or computer monitors); or more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of CRT glass; or
- Generate more than 5,000 kilograms of CRT materials (about 200 CRTs).
DTSC has created a quick reference guide for electronic waste handlers and CUPAs regarding notification and reporting requirements. Training Workshop - January 12, 2007 - Online Notification and Annual Reporting
Training slides
Training handouts
DTSC Form 1388 (To file a notification or annual report, click on the link above the picture. Use the form only if the online system is not working) Certain activities and treatment methods for recycling UWEDs and CRTs require financial assurance. The following fact sheet explains this concept in detail. Financial assurance fact sheet Inspections Handlers who treat or recycle CRT materials or universal waste electronic devices are subject to inspection to verify their compliance with DTSC regulations. To facilitate efficient, thorough and consistent inspections, DTSC has developed the following checklist. We are providing it as guidance for handlers who treat or recycle e-waste, but it does not replace or supersede relevant statues and regulations. You should refer to the regulations themselves to determine the requirements that apply to you and to keep appraised of changes. Where can I send or take CRT materials? 
One way to find a place to send or take unwanted televisions or CRT computer monitors is to check DTSC's list of CRT handlers who have submitted notifications. Anyone who accepts more than five CRT devices from off site in a calendar year is required to notify DTSC. CRT and UWED material recyclers/collectors by county When referring to this list, you should be aware that not every handler that notifies DTSC will accept CRT materials from other businesses or the public. Another useful resources is CIWMB's database of the companies that collect, reuse and recycle electronic wastes. Where can I send or take other types of e-waste? Other types of electronic waste may also be classified as universal waste, and many of the businesses that collect or accept CRT materials also accept other types of e-waste. At present, DTSC does not maintain a list of e-waste recyclers similar to its CRT material handler list. In addition to CRT materials, CIWMB's database lists handlers who reuse and recycle other types of electronic wastes. Under the Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004, retailers who sell cellular telephones are required to take them back from consumers. DTSC has prepared a fact sheet that explains the provisions of this law. |
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