Larimer County Solid Larimer County Solid WasteWaste

Electronic Waste Issues and Electronic Waste Issues and SolutionsSolutions

Awareness of electronic waste Awareness of electronic waste issues began to surface in issues began to surface in Colorado around 1999. Colorado around 1999.

In 2000 the Cathode Ray Tube In 2000 the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) recycling pilot project (CRT) recycling pilot project was created by the State was created by the State through legislation.through legislation.

Appendix C – statute CRS 25-17-105.5, Appendix C – statute CRS 25-17-105.5, “Pilot program – cathode ray tube product “Pilot program – cathode ray tube product recycling”recycling”

In 2001 CDPHE added In 2001 CDPHE added electronic devices and electronic devices and electronic components to electronic components to

the Universal Waste rule.the Universal Waste rule.

6 CCR 1007 – 3 Section 273.2 (f)6 CCR 1007 – 3 Section 273.2 (f)

Due to the new Universal Due to the new Universal Waste rule Larimer County Waste rule Larimer County landfill restricted disposal of landfill restricted disposal of electronic waste. electronic waste.

HouseholdsHouseholds

BusinessesBusinesses

OrganizationsOrganizations

2001 Partnership for one-day 2001 Partnership for one-day events.events. City of Fort Collins, City of City of Fort Collins, City of Loveland, Partners Program Loveland, Partners Program Local vendor supportLocal vendor support Great community supportGreat community support

A Need for Alternatives

Statistics for one - day Statistics for one - day eventsevents

2001 - 540 participants 50,000 pounds2001 - 540 participants 50,000 pounds

2002 - 963 participants 90,000 pounds2002 - 963 participants 90,000 pounds

2003 - 502 participants 50,000 pounds 2003 - 502 participants 50,000 pounds

2004 - 872 participants 82,000 pounds 2004 - 872 participants 82,000 pounds

While the one-day collections While the one-day collections were successful, Larimer were successful, Larimer County sensed a need to offer County sensed a need to offer more permanent more permanent opportunities to divert e-opportunities to divert e-waste from the landfill. waste from the landfill.

Brainstorming Brainstorming alternativesalternatives

Accepting e-scrap through the HHWAccepting e-scrap through the HHW

Creating a model similar to Eco-cycleCreating a model similar to Eco-cycle

Working with CSUWorking with CSU

Adding e-waste to the Adding e-waste to the HHWHHW

Natural fit to existing programNatural fit to existing program Convenient Convenient

Mixed messageMixed message Burden to already busy programBurden to already busy program Storage at siteStorage at site

Creating a similar Creating a similar model to Eco-Cyclemodel to Eco-Cycle Simple designSimple design Possible partnership with local Possible partnership with local

companycompany

Local company didn’t buy inLocal company didn’t buy in Staff issuesStaff issues Competition with the local Competition with the local

recyclers recyclers

Working with CSUWorking with CSU

No storage issues, staffing issuesNo storage issues, staffing issues Minimal involvementMinimal involvement

No control over choosing a No control over choosing a recyclerrecycler

Unsure of the exact role the Unsure of the exact role the county was to playcounty was to play

The ending resultThe ending result

Allowing Recycle America to offer a Allowing Recycle America to offer a program was a good fit.program was a good fit.

A program at the landfill A program at the landfill Didn’t burden HHW/landfill staffDidn’t burden HHW/landfill staff Added to the local list of recyclersAdded to the local list of recyclers National program with a good National program with a good reputationreputation