We’ve used a local scrap dealer to dispose of our electronics at no charge. Sometimes the dealer will even pay us for our old electronics. What’s the difference?
Scrap dealers providing no-cost or pay-for-pick-up are virtually non-existent. An improved awareness of the environmental hazards of mishandling e-waste along with new federal and state laws governing e-waste and data management require a business model and process that free cannot accommodate. Free often means unsafe and illegal. There are certain states where the government does help with the cost of electronics recycling. There are also a few programs run by manufacturers where the cost of recycling is free or reduced.
FAQ’s About CRT Recycling
Why is CRT glass classified as a hazardous waste and a threat to the environment?
CRT glass typically contains heavy metals, including lead. When CRT glass containing lead is disposed of in a landfill it can break down through compaction. Then, when it comes into contact with rainwater, these heavy metals may leach out into the groundwater.
What’s the difference between panel glass and funnel glass?
Panel glass is the viewing surface and is typically made of a barium strontium glass, whereas funnel glass is the glass that extends from the viewing surface toward the cathode ray guns.
Does all CRT glass have lead in it?
In general, the funnel glass contains lead in an oxide form. How much/percent? Sources vary on this but most suggest between 20-30 percent by weight.
What needs to be done to dispose of CRT glass safely?
The glass must be kept separate from other glass types and can be cleaned and used to produce new tubes. Many states have rules about where CRT glass can be shipped or how it may be processed.
Are the same set of concerns applicable to flat-panel displays? Or are other hazardous elements present in these displays?
Flat-panel displays typically do not have leaded glass. There are four types of flat-panel displays: plasma, LCD, DLP and the latest LED LCD. Plasma displays often have a leaded “frit” that attaches the two glass panels to each other. LCD displays have a small, cold-cathode florescent lamp that provides back lighting, and which contains mercury vapor. DLP displays may have mercury-vapor lamps. LED LCD technology is still reasonably new and has yet to appear in the e-waste stream in any significant quantity.
Take us through the process… what’s involved when separating lead from glass in a CRT?
That’s really a question for a metallurgist or furnace operator, but the short version is the glass is placed in a furnace and heated to a molten form. Then a “reduction” process converts the lead oxide to metal so it can be poured off; what remains is largely lead-free “slag” glass that can be reused in numerous glass molding businesses.
Most of the downstream destinations currently in use are not going to separate the lead from the glass. Most of them are either processors who clean the paint coatings off the leaded glass in preparation for a CRT furnace operator, or they are a CRT furnace operator. These furnace operators re-melt the leaded glass in a furnace and mold new funnels — either for their own assembly process or for sale to other CRT manufacturers
How many companies can perform this service?
There are two lead smelters: The Doe Run Co. in Missouri, a primary lead smelter; and ECS Refining in Texas, a secondary lead smelter. There are numerous CRT furnace operators worldwide; Samsung-Corning in Malaysia and Videocon in India are the most well known.
How is the process regulated?
Each generator, processor and furnace operator is subject to state and local regulation, depending on their location, and in many cases the import or export of material is regulated.
Once the glass and lead are separated, what are the downstream outlets for each material?
Lead is used in many products and alloys, but lead–acid battery manufacturers are the single largest consumer of lead — as much as half of worldwide production. Glass may be used in many industries, depending on its content. Bottle glass typically has a low tolerance for metals including lead, while plate glass for windows may be more tolerant.
Questions to Ask Potential Recyclers
To ensure the proper handling of your used electronics, we recommend that you ask a few questions of the person or business you are entrusting with these devices. These questions can help you determine if your devices will be handled properly.
Legal disclaimer
Do you accept electronic devices from individuals? Will you accept my device for recycling?
Some recyclers will not accept devices from households. Make sure your recycler will accept devices (one or more) from you.
Not all recyclers accept all devices - make sure your recycler will take your particular device
What are your policies and practices for destroying personal data that may still exist on used computers or cell phones?
Data can be wiped from storage media using a magnetic wiping method or using a program to overwrite all sectors of a hard drive. Any method used for data wiping should be done more than once (multi-pass).
Storage media can be destroyed by shredding, cutting, incinerating, multiple perforations or crushing.
Your recycler should be able to provide written certification that the data was wiped or storage media destroyed, as well as a record of the methods used.
Do you follow any recognized best management practices for electronics recyclers? Who certifies and audits your management system? Are you legally able to perform the work you claim?
Recyclers and consolidators should be able to produce evidence that they have the proper facilities, training and equipment to perform the operations they claim by showing you an audited management/operations system, complete with evidence of recent audits.
Ask if they have environmental management certification or system in place, such as ISO 14001 environmental management certification, or certifications by organizations like the International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER) or the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).
For those that are not certified, ask if they follow any recognized environmental management guidelines such as EPA's Plug-in to E-Cycling Guidelines.
Have you had any environmental or safety violations (citations, fines, notice of violation, consent orders, etc) or filed for any environmental damage insurance claims in the last 5 years? If yes, please explain.
Companies that have a good track record of complying with environmental and safety requirements are preferred.
A company that has been in business for several years with only a few minor violations that were quickly resolved may be just as responsible as a company with only a year or two in the business with no violations.
Check for major violations such as large quantity waste releases or significant neighborhood complaints.
Do you send used equipment or wastes to other business partners or service providers? If yes, do you know what their export policies are, if they have any environmental or recycling certifications or if they follow recognized best management practices for recycling?
Good recordkeeping is one of the best practices. Look for companies that keep detailed records including where they ship materials, how much they ship and serial numbers for items to be reused.
Although there are several “full service” recyclers in the U.S., it is likely that the recycler you give your products to will not handle the full processing of your device.
Your recycling company should have written logs of what processing (such as sorting and/or shredding) is done on site and who receives the materials or products after initial processing.
Ask if the recycler’s business partners are contractually bound to the same standards or best management practices your recycler holds themselves to.
Be wary of recyclers who state that their processes and business partners are “confidential,” “proprietary,” or “they don’t know.”
All exporting must be done in compliance with laws applicable to both the exporting and importing countries.
What percentage of the materials you collect are recycled and what percentage is disposed (either through landfilling or incineration)?
Recyclers should recycle as much of the materials as is economically feasible.
Look for companies that can recycle 90% or more of the materials, sending less than 10% for disposal or incineration.
Also look for recyclers that avoid landfilling or incinerating items such as mercury lamps, leaded glass and batteries.
Do you have general liability and environmental liability insurance? If so, how much?
Insurance requirements vary from state to state, and the amount and type of coverage necessary will vary by the size and operations at the facility.
The amount and coverage will depend on the scope and magnitude of the operations.
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