Tacoma/Pierce CountyElectronics Recycling Event
May 11-12, 2002
Preliminary Processes
Vendor Survey to all electronics retailers, repair facilities, suppliers to assess interest in forming a network similar to King County
Disabled worker training center interested in electronics demanufacturing
Few retailers were interested
Bid Process/Documents
Prepared a Bid that was sent to everyone we were aware of in the Electronics Recycling field in the local area
Surprised that many HW companies responded
Prebid meeting held to answer questions-made arrangements for conference calling capability for those unable to attend in person
Product Stewardship Components
Contract Language prohibiting overseas shipment of unprocessed materials
Charged a fee to residents to participate $5 per vehicle covered first 2 monitors/CRT’s $5 for each additional monitor/CRT
Wrote a letter to all electronic equipment manufacturers asking for financial support
Product Stewardship Components
Intel, Panasonic and Sharp were only three that responded positively
Panasonic and Sharp paid for the processing of their equipment through Nextel
Intel offered volunteer labor through STRUT PS Handout given to all attendees
Target Audience/Team Members
Who We Collected From Tacoma and Pierce County Residents
Who was Involved City of Tacoma Pierce County Local Non-Profit Agency (Students Recycling
Used Technology or STRUT)
Advertising
How we publicized the event Article in Enviro Talk Press Releases Internet TV Tacoma appearance on City Line Movie Theaters Cheney Stadium insert Display ads in News Tribune Recycling Truck Billboards Billboards
Event Costs
What Did It Cost? We estimated costs from $30,000-$200,000
depending on the attendance and the amount of material brought to the event
Recycling Costs of $56,065.58 Additional Costs for City/County staffing and
advertising
How Did We Pay For It?
We charged $5 per vehicle which covered the first two monitors (TV’s and/or computers)
Additional monitors were $5 each Total Collected from entrance fees was
$9,200
Electronics Recycling Update
Who Did the Recycling? Phillips Services Corporation a well-known
local hazardous waste materials handler from Seattle
Material was removed from vehicles by Phillips staff and placed in separate containers
Reusable material was segregated for use in schools by Students Recycling Used Technology
What Did We Collect?
1132
1243
1094
935
768
485
578
67
472
112
1150
14% 15% 14% 12% 10% 6% 7% 1% 6% 1% 14%0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Television Monitor Computer Other Comp Printer Stereo HH Elec Scanner VCR Copy/Fax Other
Who Attended?
City30%
County70%
How Did They Hear About It?
51.0%
8.2%
33.5%
0.5%
3.0%
0.7%2.3%
0.4% 0.5% 0.1%0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
Newsletter TV Tacoma Newspaper Rainiers Internet Landfill Billboard Spring Fair MovieTheater
Truck
Future Collection OptionsFuture Collection Options
Ongoing collection at Recycling Center Add to Call to Haul program Partner with local reuse network to divert
reusable/repairable/upgradeable equipment back into local community
Diversion to a local collection infrastructure Currently three private sector recycling options:
Phillips Services Total Reclaim PC Salvage
Survey Results
Do You Want Regular Service?
Yes97%
No3%
How Would You Like Electronics To Be Collected?
Curbside44%
Dropoff31%
Bulky Item Pickup18%
Other7%
What Are You Willing To Pay?
0%
84%
14%
2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
$0 $5 $10 Other
Next Steps
Establish private drop off/collection services for business
Determine whether to accept electronics for recycling at our Hazardous Waste Facility at the Landfill
Determine whether to ban the disposal of CRT’s at the landfill
Determine what fees to charge for the services
Ready to Start
Happy Staffers
Gary Working
Shannon Working
Unloading Vehicles
Backstage Area
Too Much Stuff
Lessons Learned
Expensive to mobilize for events (two day event made more sense cost wise than a one day event)
Most people willing to pay for service Most companies aren’t It makes more sense to provide regular drop
off service than to do events