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Acknowledgment
Executive Summary
Background
Nevada Assembly Bill 426
Definition of E-Waste
Concerns and Hazards
Federal E-Waste Regulations
Nevada's Voluntary System
Overview
Current Infrastructure
Drop-off Locations
Special Collection Events
Take-back Programs
Legislation in Other States
State Mandatory Programs
California - ARF Program
Oregon - PR Program
Maryland - PR Program
State Voluntary Systems
State E-Waste Landfill Bans
Recommendation
No Legislation - Continue
Existing Voluntary System
Appendices
Tables of Available Services
Map of Services in Nevada
Assembly Bill 426
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Nevada's Voluntary System
Overview
Approximately 95% of Nevada's population currently has access to existing e-waste services through a combination of local drop-off facilities, special collection events, and mail-in take-back programs. Some e-waste reuse and recycling services are free-of-charge, while others charge per unit or by the pound fees. Televisions are more difficult to reuse or recycle than computers. Because recycling TVs less profitable than recycling computers, not all recyclers accept TVs, and many of those that do charge a fee.
Current Infrastructure
There is a wide array of options currently available in Nevada through which electronic wastes can be recycled:
- Three non-profit organizations (NPOs) accept computers and computer peripherals for reuse and resale. NPOs work with local communities across the state, including rural areas, to conduct special e-waste collection events on a periodic or annual basis.
- Most electronic retailers and manufacturers offer drop-off or mail-in e-waste recycling. These services are often free of charge.
- Several name brand TV manufacturers have established partnerships in Nevada with local waste handlers and recyclers to accept their brands free-of-charge. For a nominal fee, these same handlers and recyclers will take other TV brands as well.
Recycling information is available on the NDEP website, NevadaRecycles.gov. This website provides up-to-date information on the manufacturers, retailers, NPOs and other organizations providing recycling services statewide. It includes a current list of Nevada's e-waste handlers and collectors, the type of e-waste they accept, and their operating areas.
EPA's program, Plug-In to e-Cycling, enables manufacturers, retailers, and service providers to publicize their programs, and includes helpful links and other e-cycling information.
Drop-off Locations
As of May 2010, 45 residential e-waste collection points have been identified statewide, most of them situated in retail outlets. These drop-off locations are concentrated in the four most highly populated counties: Clark, Washoe, Douglas, and Carson City. They provide easy access to 91% of Nevadans. Another 4% can recycle their e-waste through regularly scheduled special collection events (monthly/quarterly/annually) or at special events in more remote communities. For a current list of Nevada's e-waste handlers and collectors, the type of e-waste they accept, and their operating areas, see Appendix A. Appendix B is an interactive map of e-waste collection facilities statewide.
Special Collection Events
Special collection events have been another powerful resource that has contributed to the success of Nevada's voluntary system. These types of events require some level of community support and participation which is often provided by local service groups These groups typically provide advertising and promotion, a staging location, and volunteers for various functions associated with the collection events. They also establish partnerships with the reuse/recycler that will be taking the collected materials away for processing. Over the past several years, northern Nevada NPOs have been holding annual e-waste collection events in Carson City, Douglas, Elko Humboldt, and Washoe Counties for computer e-waste.
Take-back Programs
Mail- and trade-in programs, offered by many electronics manufacturers are also an important component of successful state voluntary systems because they enable e-waste recycling from anywhere in the country. Often free-of-charge, these take-back programs effectively divert participating manufacturers' name brands from the e-waste stream for reuse and recycling. Other brands may be accepted for a nominal fee.
For consumers who want to dispose of electronics that are still in working order, some manufacturers offer trade-ins for cash or credit toward a new purchase. Some manufacturers even offer on-line trade-ins. Straight buy-back programs are also offered by several of the major manufacturers where they pay cash for their used electronics depending on condition, age, or other factors.
Several manufacturers are partnering with retailers and recyclers to provide drop-off locations. In Washoe County, for example, the waste management and recycling franchisee has partnered with several TV manufacturers to provide free take-back for their products. A Sparks recycler has established a similar arrangement with a major TV manufacturer. Both of these local recyclers collect all other brands of e-waste for a per pound fee. For a complete list of take-back programs and services currently available in Nevada, see Appendix A. This list also includes links to each company's website where detailed information on the programs they provide can be found. This information is also available and is regularly updated on EPA's Plug-In to e-Cycling website.
The current economic climate and market volatility have caused a number of e-waste businesses to spring up and close down just as rapidly. The NDEP continues to work with manufacturers to obtain and share the latest information and developments in e-waste recycling with the public through various media outlets (nevadarecycles.gov, Nevada Recycling Hotline, etc.).
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