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Remarks by Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Deputy Assistant Administrator Scott Sherman to the 2007 Consumer Electronics Convention

Speech Date: January 10, 2007
Event: Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, Nevada

While recently emptying my pockets in order to clear security at one of the federal office buildings in Washington, it dawned on me just how many electronic products I carry on a regular basis – Blackberry, office cell phone, personal cell phone, thumb drive, and a computer security token, among others.  Yes, I – like each of you – have a few gadgets. Yet, what I have with me today is nothing compared to what I saw on the CES convention floor yesterday. It certainly is exciting for me to be here – not only to see the “latest and greatest” in consumer electronics, but also to be here on Green Wednesday.

As you heard in the very gracious introduction, I have a background in Superfund and Brownfields. Practitioners in the Superfund field typically work today on solving technical and financial problems created by yesterday’s waste disposal practices. In doing so, we are reactive, working in an arcane regulatory and legal liability system that was developed in Washington after significant problems arose.

Let’s contrast that with the opportunities presented today for the electronics industry and all users of electronic products: to be proactive; dedicated to the reuse of valuable materials; actively involved in developing best practices for recycling; and, from a financial perspective, engaged in discussions to develop a carefully reasoned and fairly applied funding structure.

You all have made great progress in educating the public about electronics recycling and developing opportunities for successful recycling efforts. And I want to express EPA’s appreciation to all of you for your accomplishments this past year. In a few minutes, I’m going to describe those accomplishments in more detail and hope to put a public spotlight on those companies that in 2006 achieved the most impressive results. But first I want to discuss EPA’s own ongoing commitment to the recycling and reuse of consumer electronics – and in doing so highlight several key components: EPEAT, Energy Star, the Federal Electronics Challenge, and Plug-In To E-Cycling.

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First, EPEAT Exit EPA, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool. EPEAT focuses on improving the design of electronic products so they are easier on the environment. EPEAT was developed by EPA, manufacturers, and NGOs [non government organizations] to meet a growing demand by purchasers for a way to readily identify environmentally friendly electronic products. These products use less toxic material and less energy, contain more recycled content, and are more easily recycled. These criteria now have been finalized into an IEEE American National Standard. We expect this rating system to give green electronics a big boost in the marketplace, since there are now over 300 products listed in the EPEAT Registry

To add a further boost to our collective efforts, EPA is supporting the purchase and use of greener electronics in the federal government marketplace. We’re an energetic participant in the Federal Electronics Challenge Exit EPA, a program that encourages federal departments, agencies, and facilities to use EPEAT to buy environmentally sound electronics. The Challenge currently includes 16 federal agencies and 130 facilities, which represent about 83 percent of the federal government’s IT purchasing power of about $60 billion annually. We recognize that not all purchases are there yet, but our partners have identified current practices for improvement, set aggressive goals, and are moving toward them. And our goal is to get all federal agencies to participate. EPA also is working with the states to bring those same practices into state procurement and management offices, thus making greener electronic products and practices even more widespread.

Another example of our efforts is Energy Star, EPA’s program to improve the efficiency of energy use across a wide range of products. As you all know, Energy Star is helping transform the electronics market by making energy efficiency a top priority. The Agency recently revised Energy Star specifications for desktop and notebook computers, workstations, integrated computers, desktop-derived servers, and game consoles. The new specifications will go into effect in July 2007, helping to drive down even further the energy used by consumer electronics. For example, under our new specifications imaging equipment will be 30 percent more efficient than today’s conventional models. EPA also is applying the Energy Star label to external power adapters that meet EPA’s new energy efficiency guidelines. On average, Energy Star qualified power adapters will be 35 percent more efficient than conventional models. This effort could lead to tremendous savings, with as many as 1.5 billion power adapters currently in use in the United States – about five for every one of us. Again, at EPA, we believe that better environmental performance – whether in design, use, or disposal – should give products a leg up in the marketplace.

Finally, I want to mention eCycling, which is a key reason we are all gathered here today. EPA’s commitment to this important initiative can be seen on a number of fronts. For example, we have been working with states, electronics recyclers, and manufacturers to define best management practices for recycling facilities. These efforts have produced, among other things, the May 2004 “Guidelines for Materials Management” document, and the expected spring 2007 “Best Management Practices” manual. Currently, a multi-stakeholder workgroup is looking at a possible certification program for recyclers. As a result of these collaborations, we have developed a better information base on how, where, and to what extent electronics are being recycled in this country.

This past year, EPA issued a new rule on cathode ray tubes, which will make it easier to collect and recycle CRTs. As consumers move to flat screen LCDs and plasmas, the number of unwanted CRTs will continue to grow. Safely recycling these CRTs saves energy, conserves resources, and reduces the amount of lead that could potentially enter our environment. That’s why CRT recycling has been a priority for EPA and why we have streamlined regulatory requirements that would otherwise attach to handling of unwanted CRTs.

But we don’t want to stop there. In fact, EPA wants to increase consumer recycling rates for all electronics. To realize this goal, consumers need a variety of opportunities to put their electronics in the recycling stream. That’s where EPA’s Plug-In To eCycling partners come in. Plug-In to eCycling is EPA’s voluntary partnership to give consumers different ways of donating or recycling used electronics. Over the past year, our partners have carried out some remarkably successful projects. This year alone, our partners recycled over 34 million pounds of electronics in the United States, with a notable portion of these items recycled on a global scale. Since the program’s inception just four years ago, our partners have recycled over 95 million pounds of electronics.

To build on this success, last April, Plug-In To eCycling launched national Pass It On Week. This focused effort led to over 60,000 computers and other electronic products being donated or recycled in one week alone – thanks to our partner programs and stakeholder support.

We were quite pleased with the results of this one discrete effort – and even prouder of what our corporate partners have accomplished collectively over the past year.

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I now would like to turn to the recognition portion of our event. I will highlight the accomplishments of each award winner and identify the corporate representatives present. After the ceremony is over, I’ll meet with each of you individually to present the award and take the officials photos. Members of the press will have an opportunity to speak with individual companies at that time.

The first award winner is Dell Exit EPA.

Dell deserves special recognition this year for recycling over 4.2 million pounds of electronics through innovative partnerships and company-led programs. Dell’s Reconnect Exit EPA partnership with Goodwill Industries in five states allows consumers to return computers to local Goodwill locations free of charge. Reconnect programs are now locally available to an estimated 10 million U.S. households. In 2006 Dell also launched free online recycling for any used Dell computer, regardless of whether consumers purchase a new product. Dell is a strong supporter of reuse and works with the National Cristina Foundation Exit EPA to help identify where donated computers would be needed. Dell has set a goal to recover 275 million pounds of equipment from customers by 2009 through convenient, consumer-friendly initiatives. Dell is represented here today by Tod Arbogast, Director of Sustainable Business.

Next, Hewlett-Packard Exit EPA.

Hewlett-Packard deserves special recognition for recycling 64 million pounds in North America and 164 million pounds of hardware worldwide. HP reports that it is reaching its goal to recycle 1 billion pounds of electronic products and supplies by the end of 2007. HP’s Recycling Tour collected over 600,000 pounds of material across eight states this fall. HP helps customers donate their working equipment to those who need it, and collected more than 2.5 million computers through its reuse programs. HP educated consumers across the country by partnering with Starbucks this year, providing information on its e-cycling program in Starbucks stores. HP and Scholastic developed educational materials on e-cycling that are expected to reach 12 million people in 2007. Rene St. Denis, Director of Product Recycling Services at Hewlett-Packard.

The next award winner is Best Buy Exit EPA.

This past year Best Buy sponsored or hosted 40 recycling events, collecting more than 1.5 million pounds of electronics. Best Buy collected and recycled an impressive 13 million pounds of CRTs, LCDs, and plasma televisions from customer homes through its service programs. Best Buy also assisted in Hurricane Katrina cleanup efforts by collecting and recycling over 220,000 pounds of damaged electronics. Brenda Mathison, Director of Environment Health and Safety at Best Buy.

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Cingular Wireless Exit EPA is being recognized for collecting over 430,000 mobile phones for recycling, as well as launching a nationwide recycling program at 2,000 retail locations, where consumers can bring in any used phone for recycling. Liz McCleskey, Director of Environment Health and Safety at Cingular.

Next, Intel Exit EPA is being recognized for hosting or sponsoring 27 collection events in 10 states, collecting 1.5 million pounds of electronics, a 25 percent increase from their previous year’s activity. Intel is also a strong advocate of reuse and supports programs like Students Recycling Used Technology. Intel also is a leading member of eBay’s Rethink initiative. Anisha Ladha, Product Ecology E-waste Manager at Intel.

eBay’s Rethink Exit EPA initiative brings together stakeholders – retailers, manufacturers, and government – to educate consumers about the importance of e-cycling and to provide them with information and options for donating or recycling electronics. eBay’s reach to consumers is enormous, and EPA sees this initiative as a powerful vehicle with the potential to educate and spur action among millions of people. This past year Rethink generated 785,000 Web hits. Libby Reder, Program Manager of Global Citizenship at eBay.

NEC Display Solutions Exit EPA recycled 1 million pounds of electronics in the United States and over 3.5 million pounds globally. In 2006, NEC Display Solutions formed an alliance with Computers For Schools, through which NEC Display Solutions donated over 450 computer displays. Richard Atanus, Vice President, Product Development, Technical & Environmental Services, and Anne Tuisl, Director, Channel Marketing & Marketing Communications at NEC Display Solutions.

In addition to these achievements, I would also like to recognize the following recycling projects conducted by several partners working in collaboration:

The states have played a central role in e-cycling as well. In 2006, EPA’s Plug-In program partnered with Montana to pilot “shared responsibility” electronics recycling systems in a rural setting. With the support of Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, JVC, Philips, Toshiba, Lexmark, Staples, and Best Buy, over 330,000 pounds were collected in four cities. Based on lessons learned, Montana will determine how best to harness voluntary approaches to structure its future electronics recycling program. Sharp, Panasonic, JVC, Toshiba, Philips, and Samsung also supported a collection pilot in Minnesota where consumers, especially those in rural areas, could drop off electronics for a fee at specified locations. Over 45,000 pounds of electronics were collected for recycling over two weekends in October 2006.

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For these collaborative projects and your continued leadership in e-cycling, I’d like to recognize seven additional corporate leaders:

I also want to recognize the efforts of two companies that could not be here today.

Let’s give all the companies a big hand for their fine work.

I do want to note the efforts of state programs, as part of today’s session. This year, we saw initial results from programs in California and Maine, where electronics recycling has increased dramatically. In California alone, over 78 million pounds of electronics were recycled by state-approved recyclers in 2006. As Maryland and Washington programs get underway, we will learn even more about how different recycling systems work.

As we enter the New Year, I think we can look forward to even more progress – from everyone. Each of our e-cycling projects has not only taken electronic products out of the waste stream, but they have taught us something about what works, how well, and under what circumstances. In the e-cycling business, a thousand points of light are shining, as they say inside the Beltway – perhaps we should say “Vegas show lights” here at CES. And that’s significant, because we don’t have all the answers in Washington. Rather, it is your efforts that are generating real world information about what practices work best to protect human health and the environment and conserve valuable resources.

And that is information and knowledge that we – collectively – did not have 25-plus years ago at the time the Superfund statute was drafted. You may have seen the Wall Street Journal column last week discussing environmental issues and the electronics industry. The column closes with a quote about our ability to “engineer our way out of any problem.” In the Superfund world, a lot of money has been spent engineering cleanups of our land and water. In contrast, I would submit that it will be easier and more cost effective to use our engineering expertise today to:

We all have seen the ads for Las Vegas, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” In the case of electronics recycling, I hope that is not true. In this room are many of the public and private sector professionals who are testing different ways of recycling electronics. For 2007, let’s make a resolution to take these ideas back home with us and apply them as broadly as we can. Then at next year’s convention we will be able to come back together and have even more success stories to celebrate.

Thank you.

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