Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge 2017 SMM Electronics Challenge Champion Award Application

Sustainable Materials Management

Electronics Challenge

CHANGING HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR RESOURCES FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

2017 SMM ELECTRONICS CHALLENGE CHAMPION AWARD APPLICATION

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Read entire application.

2. Determine eligibility (all current SMM Electronics Challenge Participants that have submitted
their 2016 annual data results to EPA by the August 15, 2017 deadline are eligible).

3. Decide on award category (you may choose Product, Non-Product, or Cutting Edge or all three).

4. Write Abstract (up to 250 words) and Narrative (up to 4,000 words) that addresses the judging
criteria. The application for the Product and Non-Product categories reflect work completed in
calendar year 2016. The Cutting Edge Category does not have a similar timeframe.

5. Gather optional supplemental information (not to exceed four pages).

6. Fill out contact information at the end of the application.

7. Submit completed form online via the SMM Data Management System no later than August 15,
2017.

Overview

The Electronics Champion award recognizes electronics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs),
brand owners and retailers that exemplify exceptional leadership and innovation in the electronics life

cycle, including the sustainable management of electronics.
Results describe significant solutions and contributions that
create positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes for
their organization, partners, and consumers and the public. All
eligible companies are current participants in the SMM
Electronics Challenge.

The SMM Electronics Challenge offers participants the
opportunity to join at Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers. The
Electronics Champion award offers recognition opportunities
beyond these tiers.

Results and achievements described in the awards application
should reflect work that has been completed in calendar year
2016. The application deadline is August 15, 2016. Submissions
for this award will be done electronically using the SMM Data
Management System. The system will also be used for all
Challenge data and information reporting.

Applicants can apply for awards in three categories: Product, Non-Product, and Cutting Edge. One
award will be given per category for a possible total of three awards. The awards are anticipated to be

^Rethink

TIPS FOR SUCCESS!

Do identify the year for all work
mentioned (policies, coalitions, results)

Do use pre-existing headings (e.g.,
Vision. Coalition Building. Execution,
and Impact) as Narrative Headings

Do only apply for one product, or policy
per application

Do use tons for all weights and provide
context

Do use EPA's EEBC calculator for all
greenhouse gas measurements

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announced in late Fall 2017. The Narrative section describes the award categories and the Evaluation
section describes the judging criteria.

Eligibility

All current SMM Electronics Challenge Participants that have submitted their 2015 annual data results to
EPA by the August 15, 2017 deadline are eligible. Each Challenge participant may apply for one award in
each of the three categories: Product and Non-product and Cutting Edge. However, each applicant is
only eligible to win one award. Your organization will be judged on the strength of your application so it
is important that your application is complete and addresses the awards criteria.

Application Requirements

Abstract

Provide an abstract of no more than 250 words describing your awards submission. This provides the
application judges with a brief overview of an applicant's activities and it will be used for outreach
purposes (e.g., news releases, case studies, webinars, etc.). Applications without an abstract will not be
considered. Abstracts are subject to editing for publication purposes.

Narrative

The narrative should not exceed 4,000 words. Each criterion should be addressed. You may apply for
no more than one award in each category (product, non-product, or cutting edge). EPA will make
awards based on how submissions address the criteria of each category. It is possible that awards will
not be given in one of the categories.

Award Categories
Product

For the purposes of this competition, a "product" is an item that is manufactured, developed or refined
for sale or changes the way people use an existing product or extends the life cycle of a product and is

in the marketplace. Proposals submitted to the product category might include, among others:

• Items manufactured from electronic scrap (an example of reuse);

• Items designed in such a way as to extend their useful life cycle (an example of the prevention
of waste generation);

• Items that incorporate alternative materials or employ alternative manufacturing processes that
conserve resources (an example of prevention of negative environmental impacts); and

• Items that raise awareness of the impacts of electronic devices or otherwise foster positive
environmental behavior (examples of prevention of negative environmental impacts).

Examples of a product that fosters positive environmental behavior could include a smart phone
app that allows consumers to easily compare the "green scorecard" for different laptops, boxes
for shipping electronics that include facts about e-waste and e-waste recycling, or a phone case
that displays a world map highlighting where all the elements in the phone came from.

Non-Product

For the purposes of this competition, a "non-product" is an internal or external plan, strategy or policy
for an organization, a service, program, or item that is not intended for individual sale to a single
consumer (e.g., an educational website, a curriculum, a policy, an electronics take-back program, etc.).
Proposals in this category must have been implemented and have measurable results (see definition of

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measurable under "Evaluation" below). Proposals submitted to this category may be more abstract and
may require as much or more effort to thoroughly explain in a concise way.

Cutting Edge

This category focuses on bold ideas with the potential to make a huge impact on the future of
sustainable electronics management across the life cycle. It is designed to encourage ambitious ideas
that have significant game-changing potential. Unlike the two previous categories, submissions for the
Cutting Edge do not have to be products that have been marketed for sale, projects that have been
completed or policies that have already been implemented. Instead, for this award EPA seeks
innovative ideas, models and prototypes for products, services and/or policies that have not yet been
fully implemented or marketed with the potential to positively impact and solve issues in the area of
sustainable electronics, materials reduction, reuse, upcycling and recycling at any stage of the life cycle.
For the purposes of this competition, a cutting edge project is one that is concisely articulated, well
formulated, has projected or actual measurable health, environmental, and social benefits and is
achievable in the foreseeable future. Ideas may be as creative and forward thinking as you like, but
judges will be looking for those that are innovative and impactful - to put it another way, a game-
changer in the area of sustainable materials management.

Optional Supplemental Documentation

Supplemental documentation, not to exceed four pages, may be submitted along with the application.
Due to space limitations in EPA's reporting and tracking system, these materials must be sent to EPA
electronically under separate cover and must be referred to on the reporting form in the tracking
system. Materials such as charts, tables, photos, graphs, web links, data and calculations may be
included. Short videos, not to exceed five minutes that illustrate/explain the project may be included.
Do not include confidential business information, corporate literature, annual reports, or CD-ROMS.
Any supplemental material over the 4-page limit will not be reviewed. Please submit supplemental
documentation electronically to: iohnson.ianice@epa.gov, Attn. Janice Johnson, U.S. EPA, Office of
Resource Conservation and Recovery.

Judging Criteria for Product and Non-Product Category

Evaluation

Measurable Results

Applicant submissions will be evaluated using a points system. Applicants will be awarded points based
upon the criteria outlined below. To receive consideration, your proposal must have measurable
environmental impacts. Social and economic impacts are encouraged. Applicants must include
measurable results that clearly indicate a baseline (the starting point for your effort) and the end result.
Reporting a measurable output should link to an outcome whenever possible. For example, an
electronics education project might include holding monthly webinars (output) that result in an increase
of X% used electronics collected (outcome). Applications will be evaluated with consideration to the
volume or significance of achievement along with the size and type of the organization. Therefore,
please explain how the measurable impacts of your project relate to your company's size and/or type of
electronics manufactured.

Some examples of measurable results include, but are not limited to:

• Environmental benefits (e.g., quantifiable benefits such as raw material savings, water savings,
disposal cost savings, energy savings, other), and;

• Benefits to employees, community or environment (e.g., improvements in safety, community
awareness of the project, environmental significance to the community).

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VISION: strategy, originality, value

EPA is looking for an organizational leader/innovator that advances a strategy, program, process, or
product that represents a leap in creativity or a fundamental departure from usual practice and satisfies
a need in the organizational structure or marketplace. We would like to understand how your
company's project progressed from idea to development; how it fulfills a need; and whether it has game
changing advantages. In essence, explain how your contribution adds value to what already exists in
your organization and/or the marketplace. Possible Score: 20 points

COALITION BUILDING: collaboration, inclusiveness

EPA seeks to understand how your company creates effective partnerships with other organizations
from across all sectors as well as how your company collaborates and convenes with peers to develop
the strategy, program, product and/or process. We are looking for interesting examples of how your
company has built bridges between consumers; customers; value chain representatives (both from the
supply and recycling perspectives); and federal, state and local government and non-government
organizations. We are also looking for how your company has mentored other organizations.

Possible Score: 20 points

EXECUTION: motivation/inspiration, communication, transparency

EPA believes that innovative organizations not only advance and communicate a clear vision, but also
possess the ability to bounce back from challenges. We are interested in understanding how your
company communicated its project in clear and compelling ways both within and outside of your
organization; what methods you used to motivate and inspire your audience(s); and how you might
have capitalized on challenges or setbacks in the development of your project. Finally, we are
interested in how you have been transparent and shared your process and progress with internal and
external stakeholders. Possible Score: 30 points

IMPACT: measurability, replStability

EPA is seeking an innovative organization that has made positive changes; has a measurable record of
accomplishment for influencing change both inside and outside the organization; and is sensitive to
broader social and environmental implications. We are interested in examples of how your company's
strategy has influenced policy making, and/or standards or product development in the area of
responsible management of electronics inside and outside your organization.

First and foremost, EPA seeks to understand the immediate and longer term impact the
strategy/project/product has on the environment and human health. We are interested in how the
project addresses social concerns including the areas of critical minerals, health/safety, bridging the
digital divide, and improving quality of life. Also, please describe any significant, quantifiable benefits to
employees and/or community through your activities. Finally, EPA is interested in understanding why
and how others might replicate your efforts. Possible Score: 30 points

Judging Criteria for Cutting Edge Category

Evaluation

Applicant submissions will be evaluated using a points system. Applicants will be awarded points based
upon the criteria outlined below. The judges will be asked to evaluate the entries received based on the
idea, model or prototype (hereafter referred to as idea), its coherence to sustainable electronics

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management goals, its potential for value creation, and the likelihood of achieving success. The jury will
review and evaluate the areas related to the execution of the idea, including:

VISION

EPA is looking for an organizational leader/innovator that advances an idea that represents a leap in
creativity or a fundamental departure from usual practice and will satisfy a need in the organizational
structure or marketplace. The idea should demonstrate a clear understanding of the issue it seeks to
address; the economic, environmental and social drivers of the idea; and its feasibility. The idea should
articulate the market need, size of opportunity, competitive landscape, and potential risks with
descriptions of risk mitigation strategies. We would like to understand how the idea will progress from
concept to development; how it fulfills a need; and whether it has game-changing advantages over what
currently exists. Possible Score: 20 points

FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY, LIFECYCLE APPROACH, and MEASURABLE RESULTS

The idea needs to be financially feasible (anticipated value created will be greater than costs incurred),
fundable (attractive for investors), adopt a life cycle-based approach (looks at an issue holistically),
scalable (replicable across regions and countries), and expected to achieve measurable results
(projected and/or actual). The financing and life cycle-based plan should be sensible in terms of the
capital required to launch and operate as well as clearly describe potential game-changing economic,
environmental, and social benefits to the field of sustainable electronics design and management
throughout the life cycle. Possible Score: 30 points.

TIMELINE TO DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTION

The implementation of the idea should be illustrated with clear milestones, deliverables and growth
objectives. EPA believes a roadmapfor implementation will include necessary partnerships, customer
acquisition strategy, demonstrated proof of concept, how you have communicated your idea in clear
and compelling ways both within and outside of your organization, what methods you used to inspire
your audience(s), how you will or have already capitalized on challenges or setbacks in the development
of your idea, and how you have been or will be transparent and share your process and progress with
internal and external stakeholders. Possible Score: 25 points

COMPETENCY OF DELIVERY TEAM

The individual(s) involved in the implementation of the business idea are important. The individual(s)
should demonstrate/possess relevant skills, contacts, and experience for influencing change both inside
and outside the organization, particularly in the areas of sustainable electronics design and
management, health/safety, bridging the digital divide, building electronics management capacity and
improving quality of life. Please indicate how any gaps in skills and expertise will be addressed. The
individual(s) should be persuasive in communicating the business idea, its potential environmental,
health and social benefits, and its potential for success as a game-changer in the area of sustainability.
Possible Score: 25 points

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