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Frequent Questions Regarding Cathode Ray Tubes

  1. How does this rule encourage electronics recycling?
  2. Will “streamlining” requirements result in more people being exposed to the effects of discarded CRTs? 
  3. When was this rule proposed, and why did it take so long to become final?
  4. How is the final rule different from the proposal?
  5. Why were the mercury-containing equipment rule and the cathode ray tube rule finalized separately when they were proposed in one action?

1. How does this rule encourage electronics recycling?

This rule acknowledges current collection practices for used cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and streamlines RCRA management requirements for broken CRTs and processed CRT glass sent for recycling.  CRTs represent a large volume of the electronics wastestream and can be difficult to recycle.  Making CRT recycling easier could also facilitate recycling of the entire electronics wastestream.  We estimate that 57 million computers and televisions are sold in the United States annually.

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2. Will “streamlining” requirements result in more people being exposed to the effects of discarded CRTs? 

This rule does not change requirements for CRTs sent for disposal. CRTs sent for disposal (i.e., to a landfill or incinerator) remain fully regulated as hazardous wastes (assuming they test hazardous) unless they are disposed of by a household or a very small quantity generator. For CRTs sent for recycling, the management requirements in today’s rule are designed to minimize any environmental releases during storage, transport, or recycling.

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3. When was this rule proposed, and why did it take so long to become final?

The rule was proposed June 12, 2002 (67 FR 40508), and commenters raised many complex issues. The Agency wanted to be sure they were comprehensively evaluated, and that all significant concerns were resolved in the final regulation.

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4. How is the final rule different from the proposal?

The final rule differs from the proposal in two significant ways:
  1. In response to public comments expressing concern about CRTs exported abroad and recycled under unsafe conditions, the final rule contains a requirement that exporters of CRTs for recycling notify EPA and obtain consent from the receiving country before the CRTs are exported.  This provision will allow the receiving country to exercise appropriate oversight.
  2. In response to public comments expressing concern about potential abandonment of used, intact CRTs, the final rule imposes a one-year storage limit on these materials. This provision will ensure that the CRTs are not discarded and are recycled in a timely manner.

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5. Why were the mercury-containing equipment rule and the cathode ray tube rule finalized separately when they were proposed in one action?

To ensure that each rule got finalized as quickly as possible, EPA decided to finalize the two rules separately.

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