What to do with your E-waste if you live in Nevada
Refurbish & Reuse: E-waste generators can sell used electronic equipment or donate it to schools or non-profit organizations
for its original intended purpose. Be forwarned that once equipment has outlived its original intended usefullness it may not be
welcomed by all organizations for reuse, but it can still be recycled. This is a good reason to move it quickly into the hands of potential
users and avoid long-term storage that most of us are guilty of. Some school districts in Nevada have reuse programs that allow
businesses and individuals to donate equipment and materials so check with the schools in your local community.
Click on the following links to check out some of these programs.
- Carson City School District - The Educator's Closet
accepts treasures for use in the classroom by educators and students.
- Washoe County School District - Crayons to Computers Warehouse
accepts donations from the community for reuse by its educators and students.
- The Blind Center of Nevada, in Las Vegas provides computer recycling
services that focus on assured data privacy, maximization of raw material extraction and customer satisfaction.
- Computer Corps, in Carson City provides access to computer technology and skills
training for under-served families, while eliminating eWaste in our nation's landfills.
- New2U Computers, in Sparks is providing the community with a computer
refurbishing program and is a subsidiary of Disability Resources, Inc.
- The Public Education Foundation, in Clark County operates a
Teacher Exchange program that accepts donations of specific types of electronic equipment.
- Diverse Innovations in Las Vegas - For more information contact David Crist 702-438-4994
Reduction and Recycling: Electronics Recycling refers to the inspection, disassembly, sorting, and processing of discarded electronic equipment for potential re-use or re-manufacture. In general, if you were to drop-off or send your old computer to an electronics recycler, they would first inspect the equipment noting the technology  and functionality, and if it is determined to be no longer of value for
re-use, would be broken down into its constituent parts; such as housings, circuit boards, wiring, and CRTs.
These would then undergo further processing into base materials for use as feedstock in manufacturing new goods or in some cases disposal. The State of Nevada does not certify or otherwise regulate electronic waste recyclers except for compliance with existing state and federal solid and hazardous waste regulations. Links to some well-recognized e-waste recycling opportunities are provided below.
- USEPA WasteWise Update "Electronics Reuse and Recycling" available at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/wstewise/pubs/wwupda14.pdf
- CIWMB - Electronic Product Management Directory - This web site provides access to the California Integrated Waste Management Board's on-line database of electronics recyclers operating in California. This database can be searched by type of equipment being disposed of and by California county.
- Amandi Services - Two of the nations leading electronic recyclers, Envirocycle, Inc., and Nxtcycle, Inc., have announced they are merging operations to form Amandi Services (Asset Management and Disposition Services)
- Envirocycle, Inc. - A complete electronics recycler (Amandi Services).
- Inert Corporation - A complete electronics recycler.
- Noranda Recycling Inc. - A complete electronics and precious metals recycler, a wholly owned subsidiary of Noranda, Inc., the multi-national mining and metals company, for more information see http://www.micrometallics.com/index.html.
Disposal Regulations: CRTs are often hazardous when discarded because of the presence of lead. Whether they are regulated as hazardous waste or not depends on the source that generates them and where they are sent after they are retired. In addition, wastes designated as hazardous in their state of origin must also be managed as hazardous wastes when sent to Nevada.
Households: Used CRTs generated by households are not considered hazardous wastes and are not regulated under Nevada state or federal regulations, however, local ordinances may be more stringent and prohibit disposal in municipal waste landfills.
Donation or Resale: CRTs that are used or reused are not considered hazardous waste.
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG) generate 100 kilograms or less per month of hazardous waste, or 1 kilogram or less per month of acutely hazardous waste. Requirements for CESQGs are listed below (please also see: 40 CFR 261.5)
- CESQGs must identify all the hazardous waste generated.
- CESQGs may not accumulate more than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste at any time.
- CESQGs must ensure that hazardous waste is delivered to a person or facility who is authorized to manage it.
To learn more, review the list of resources for CESQGs.
Small Quantity Generators
Small Quantity Generators (SQG) generate more than 100 kilograms, but less than 1,000 kilograms, of hazardous waste per month. Requirements for SQGs include:
- SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste on site for 180 days without a permit (or 270 days if shipping a distance greater than 200 miles).
- The quantity of hazardous on site waste must never exceed 6,000 kilograms.
- There must always be at least one employee available to respond to an emergency. This employee is the emergency coordinator responsible for coordinating all emergency response measures. SQGs are not required to have detailed, written contingency plans.
To learn more, review the list of resources for SQGs.
Large Quantity Generators
Large Quantity Generators (LQG) generate 1,000 kilograms per month or more of hazardous waste, or more than 1 kilogram per month of acutely hazardous waste. Requirements for LQGs include:
- LQGs may only accumulate waste on site for 90 days. Certain exceptions apply.
- LQGs do not have a limit on the amount of hazardous waste accumulated on site.
- There must always be at least one employee available to respond to an emergency. This employee is the emergency coordinator responsible for coordinating all emergency response measures. LQGs must have detailed, written contingency plans for handling emergencies.
- LQGs must submit a biennial
hazardous waste report.
To learn more, review the list of resources for LQGs.
|
