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Electronic Waste Management Information for Community Collection ProgramsAgency: Environmental Quality
Many communities in Michigan are now offering collection programs for their residents. In 2002, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality provided an exemption from solid waste regulations for these collections. The exemption requires communities and recyclers handling residential and conditionally exempt small quantity generator electronics to notify the Department of their activities to allow them to handle this otherwise regulated solid waste without needing to comply with all solid waste regulations. Below you will find more information to help operate a community electronic waste collection program.
Notification requirements for communities holding collections and recyclers who are providing services to community collection programs:
Notify the Waste and Hazardous Materials Division when electronic equipment is collected, stored, processed, or dismantled, in excess of 1,000 pounds, on-site at any one time. Submit the form EQP5205 at least two weeks prior to conducting the activity. Obtain a site identification number when handling 11,000 pounds or more of electronics collected from businesses. This may be done by applying online through MiTAPS or by mailing in the form EQP5150 . There is a $50 application fee. To check if a site identification number has already been assigned to a collection site, go to the Waste Data System and select advanced search. It is recommended to search using the street number in the address field and zip code in the postal code field. If you need assistance looking up a number or filling out the application, call the Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278.
SETTING UP A COMMUNITY COLLECTION PROGRAM:
Northeast Recycling Council Manual for Setting Up & Operating Electronics Recycling/Reuse Programs: A Manual for Municipalities & Counties Plug-In To eCycling Event Tool Kit The Plug-In To eCycling Event Tool Kit for consumer electronics recycling events provides local governments, nonprofit organizations, electronics manufacturers and retailers, and other interested groups with key information to help them stage electronics recycling events. The Tool Kit is for use primarily by local governments, not-for-profit organizations, retailers or other interested groups (such as computer users groups or clubs) that are considering hosting electronics recycling events. Do the PC Thing: Donate . This site contains information the U.S. EPA put together to help promote the reuse of computers. The "Do the PC Thing" publications contain lists of drive wiping software that are available free of charge on-line or can be purchased for a fee.
CHOOSING A RECYCLER: Currently there is no state or federal certification program for electronic waste recyclers. Recycling could mean anything from collecting electronics for refurbishment to dismantling materials and processing into commodities. Following are some documents that could help you find out about services provided by recycling companies that will fit your needs and ensure that your waste electronics are handled properly.
Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory . This on-line directory contains lists of recycling companies ranging from drums and barrels to tires and electronics.
Federal Electronics Challenge, Checklist for the Selection of Electronics Reuse and Recycling Services . This checklist includes questions you may want to ask a recycler prior to contracting with them. You will want to know some basic information when securing an electronics recycler, regardless of size of your operation. The Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) is a voluntary program that encourages government agencies to manage electronics waste in an environmentally responsible way. FEC has put together this checklist to assist in selecting an electronics recycler that best fits your needs.
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