# Presentation: 212084

## Electronics Recycling at BNL

-  Building Manager Meeting
- December 13, 2005
- Keith Klaus

## Federal Electronics Recycling and Reuse Challenge

- A short term component of the Federal Electronics Challenge
- Designed to increase recycling and reuse of electronic components
- Use this program to your advantage

## What is the Federal Electronics Challenge?

- 	The FEC is a purchasing, use, and end-of life management challenge issued for Federal facilities or agencies to:
-     		 1. Purchase greener electronic products
- 	2. Manage electronic assets in an environmentally
-           sound manner
- 	3. Receive assistance and network with other
-           agencies to improve current practices

## Fact #1

- Approximately **10,000** federally owned computers could be deemed excess or surplus each week
- The Federal Government is setting **Environmentally Sound Management guidelines** for itself to ensure it is responsibly managing its electronic assets!

**From This**

**To This**

## Fact #2 - The Federal government is a huge consumer electronics

- With 1.8 million employees, the U.S. Federal sector represents a **significant market share** for electronics – About 7% of the total market
- FY 2004 IT budget – **$155 Billion** (Hardware & 				     Services)
- FY 2005 IT budget  - **$60.8 Billion**
- Projected FY 2006 IT budget – approx.  **$65.1  Billion**

## Fact #3 – Electronics represent serious environmental costs and opportunities

- Electronic equipment contains hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, chromium, cadmium, and beryllium.
- And valuable metals such as aluminum and copper and precious metals - gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
- Components can be reused, recycled,  or reclaimed in the current marketplace.

**This is important to the Federal Government**

## Fact #4 - The Federal government’s purchase and use of electronics are not sustainable

- Average life cycle of  Federally owned computers is 3 years
- Significant quantities are ending up in storage closets, warehouses, or landfills
- Liability Avoidance  and Environmental Stewardship are important to the Federal Community

- These factors led to the development of the
- Federal Electronics Challenge

## What electronics does the FEC address?

- Monitors (computers and TV)
- CPUs
- Copiers
- Laptops
- Keyboards
- Equipment with LCD
-     screens
- Printers
- Cell phones
- Medical and other technical equipment

## BENEFITS

- Reduced use and disposal of hazardous materials, and reduced solid waste from the manufacture and disposition of electronic equipment;
- Electronic equipment that is easier and less costly to demanufacture and recycle;
- Increased recovery and use of reusable components and recyclable materials from electronic equipment;
- Reduced use of virgin materials in the manufacture of new electronic equipment;
- Greater energy efficiency in the manufacture and use of electronic equipment;
- Reduced environmental liability from the handling and disposal of electronic equipment; and,
- Reduced Federal government electronic equipment life cycle costs.

## Benefits for Building Managers

- Free up “used” space, for productive research or other activities
- Reduce space charges?
- Increase productive utilization of space in your buildings
- Clean up your buildings!!!
- Comply with DOE property management requirements

## What can a building manager do to help?

- Encourage pack rats to recycle their obsolete electronics, YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE!
- Increase awareness of building occupants
- GET HELP! Call your Environmental Compliance Representative, or contact me: at X 6399 or keithk@bnl.gov

## Questions?