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Regulations/Standards

Regulatory Requirements for Generators of CRTs

computer monitors Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in color computer monitors and televisions are considered hazardous when discarded because of the presence of lead in the CRT. Although the lead is probably not an environmental problem while the monitor or television is intact, the lead might leach out under conditions typical of municipal landfills. State regulatory requirements applicable to handling these materials vary.

States have taken a variety of approaches toward CRT management. Some states, such as Massachusetts and Florida, have taken steps to streamline hazardous waste regulations for CRTs, resulting in higher levels of recycling. On the other hand, California considers CRTs to be spent materials and regulates all CRT as hazardous waste, i.e. they are banned from landfills. Many states are currently developing Universal Waste exemptions for CRT. Minnesota, in particular, considers CRTs to be electric lamps, which are already part of that state's Universal Waste Rule. New York utilizes its scrap metal exemption for whole intact CRTs that will be recycled.

Facilities that are disposing or recycling used CRTs should always check their state regulatory requirements, which might be different from federal regulatory requirements.

Households: Used computer monitors or televisions generated by households are not considered hazardous waste and are not regulated under federal regulations. Check local requirements for disposing CRTs or to learn about opportunities for reusing or recycling them.

Resale or Donation: Monitors and televisions sent for continued use (i.e., resold or donated) are not considered hazardous wastes.

Small Quantities Exempt: Businesses and other organizations that discard less than 100 kilograms (about 220 pounds) per month of hazardous waste (including used CRTs) are not regulated under most federal requirements. (These wastes must still go to a facility authorized to receive solid waste.)

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators: Full Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations do not apply to these businesses and other organizations that generate less than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of hazardous waste per calendar month.

computers stacked floor to ceilingLarge Quantities: Wastes from facilities that generate over 100 kilograms (about 220 lb.) per month of hazardous waste are regulated under federal law when disposed. CRTs from such facilities sent for disposal must be manifested and sent as “hazardous waste” to a permitted hazardous waste landfill. CRTs sent for recycling from such facilities are also currently subject to Federal regulation; however, EPA is in the process of streamlining requirements to make it easier and less costly to send CRTs for recycling. A proposed rule was issued in June 2002 and public comments are under review. Any changes in regulation will take effect in 2005. In the meantime, some states are addressing this issue, for example by handling these materials as universal waste, and thereby reducing the management requirements applicable to the recycling of CRTs. Therefore, organizations should consult their states.

In 1995, EPA promulgated the Universal Waste Rule to exempt certain widely generated wastes that contain hazardous materials, such as thermostates and fluorescent lamps, from having to meet all hazardous waste requirements under RCRA. By lowering administrative burdens, the rule is intended to reduce hazardous waste in municipal solid waste (MSW), encourage recycling and proper disposal of certain hazardous wastes, and reduce administrative and regulatory burdens for businesses that generate these wastes. The Universal Waste Rule currently includes hazardous waste batteries, certain agricultural pesticides, thermostats, and hazardous waste lamps. States that are authorized to implement the RCRA program may add other wastes to their Universal Waste Rule but a number of states are interpreting RCRA to not require the full hazardous waste requirements on CRTs. However, EPA is planning to add used CRTs from computers and television monitors to the federal Universal Waste Rule. In addition, EPA is currently developing a regulatory exemption for processed glass sent for CRT glass-to-glass recycling.

Note: This discussion summarizes relevant federal regulatory requirements. For the complete federal hazardous waste requirements for generators, consult 40 CFR Parts 260-262. Exit EPA

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Regulatory Requirements for Circuit Boards

Whole unused circuit boards are considered unused commercial chemical products, which are unregulated.

Whole used circuit boards meet the definition of spent materials but also meet the definition of scrap metal. Therefore, whole used circuit boards that are recycled are exempt from the hazardous waste regulations.

Shredded circuit boards are excluded from the definition of solid waste if they are containerized (i.e., fiberpaks) prior to recovery. These shredded circuit boards cannot contain mercury switches, mercury relays, nickel cadmium batteries, or lithium batteries.

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