;Responsible
Electronics
Management
Responsible electronics management
involves three phases:
1. Acquisition and Procurement,
2. Operations and Maintenance, and
3. End-of Life Management.
Acquisition and
Procurement
The Electronic Product Environmental
Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is the pre-
mier method for institutions and large
purchasers to buy electronics products
based upon ratings of their overall envi-
ronmental attributes. EPEAT rates sev-
eral types of commonly used electronics
using a Bronze, Silver or Gold rating.
There are now
over 3,200
electronic
products reg-
istered on
EPEAT. See
www.epeat.net to view the products and
their ratings. See also
http://federalelectronicschallenge.net/
resources/aquisit.htm
for additional information on acquisition
and procurement.
Operations and
Maintenance
Operations and maintenance activities encom-
pass a variety of electronics issues, including
energy conservation and efficiency, efficient use
of imaging equipment, and extending product
life.
Some excellent resources are available at the
Federal Electronics Challenge website for im-
proving the operations and maintenance of
electronic equipment:
http://www.federalelectronicschallenge.net/
resources/opmain.htm
End-of-Life
Management
Why use a certified electronics recycler for
end-of-life management? Certified electronics
recyclers follow a hierarchy for processing used
electronics that first determines whether the
used electronic equipment can be reused, or if it
can be repaired or refurbished for reuse. If the
equipment cannot be reused, then certified re-
cyclers will either disassemble used equipment
for parts; break it down into its basic material
components, such as plastics, metals or glass;
or send it to responsible processors for process-
ing. This comprises the end-of-life management
stage for used electronics. The process is also
commonly referred to as "eCycling" or by the
term "electronics recycling."
For additional information on the purchase
of energy efficient electronics, go to the
ENERGY STAR website at
www.enerqystar.gov
To leam about sound, cost-effective ener
management and investment practices to
enhance the nation's energy security and
environmental stewardship, go to:
http;//www1 .eere.energy.gov/femp/
Some benefits of using a responsible,
certified electronics recycler:
• Data destruction, data security
• Worker safety
• Environmental protection
• Promotes reuse and materials recov-
ery of used electronics equipment and
materials
Must comply with all environmental,
health, and safety legal requirements
both domestically and internationally
SEE REVERSE FOR HOW TO SELECT
RESPONSIBLE ELECTRONICS
RECYCLERS.
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Finding a Responsible
Electronics Recycler
Select a certified electronics recycler.
There are two certification standards:
the Responsible Recycling Practices
(R2) standard, and the e-Stewards®
standard.
To find an electronics recycler certified to
the Responsible Recycling (R2) stan-
dard, check www.R2solutions.ora
To find an electronics recycler certified to
the e-Stewards® standard, go to
http://e-stewards.orq/find-a-recvcler/
Certified electronics recyclers may not be
available in all areas, requiring greater
care in choosing a recycier. When
choosing an electronics recycler, follow a
checklist with recommended guidelines
for selection.
Recycling Services:
http://
www fedfiralelp.r.trnnir.sr
resources/docs/seiecl.odf
Guidelines for On-site Review of Elec-
tronics Recyclers:
htt'b://
www.federalelectronicschallenae.net/
resources/docs/onsite review.odf
r. _
What can I eCycle?
Electronics that can be eCycled include sev-
eral items in these categories: desktop* com-
puting, printers, peripherals, monitors, office
equipment, audio/video equipment, mobile de-
vices, telecom equipment, storage equipment,
mainframes, networking equipment, parts (such
as AC adapters, memory, motherboards, CD/
DVD drives), healthcare equipment, banking
equipment {such as receipt printers, ATM ma-
chines), point-of-sale equipment (such as bar-
code scanners and touch screen monitors), and
miscellaneous items (such as modems, software,
cables, cameras, video games, tablets).
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
U.S. EPA-Region 3
Land & Chemicals Division/
Office of Materials Management (3LC40)
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Phone:215-814-2091
E-mail: gallo.dan@epa.gov
EPA 903-K-12-001
January 2012
Information and tips for institutions
on the responsible purchase,
operation and end-of-life manage-
ment of electronic equipment
Electronics
Stewardship at all
life-cycle Stages
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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