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In this world of rapidly changing technology, disposal of computer systems and monitors has created a growing waste stream. The Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances provides guidance for the management of these wastes by businesses under the state’s hazardous waste regulations.
Older computers and televisions use a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) for viewing. The CRT contains lead to shield users from the radioactivity required to produce the image. Improper disposal of CRTs can place lead in the municipal solid waste stream that represents an environmental and health hazard.
The following is a brief outline of proper management and disposal questions commonly asked regarding the disposal of computer systems and monitors. Please remember this information is intended to serve as a guide and does not supersede Delaware’s Regulations Governing Hazardous Waste (7 DE Admin. Code 1302).
Generators of CRT’s can avail themselves to a conditional exclusion from the definition of hazardous waste (CRT’s remain a solid waste) for both used intact and used broken CRTs. The conditional exclusion (7 DE Admin. Code, 1302, Section 261.4(b)(16)), requires the generator recycle the CRT’s and achieve the following conditions.
Used intact CRT’s are to be stored by the generator in a structurally sound, fully enclosed building (i.e., roofed, walled and with an impervious floor) or placed into a well-constructed container that remains in good condition and is kept closed to minimize releases of all CRT glass, including fine particles of glass. When storing used intact CRT’s in containers, the containers must be labeled “Used Cathode Ray Tube(s) – Contains Leaded Glass,” and be maintained in a structurally sound roofed structure constructed on an underlying impervious base.
Generators of Used Broken CRT’s, must store the CRT’s and all associated glass in well-constructed containers that remain in good condition and are closed to minimize releases, including releases of fine particles of glass. The containers must be maintained in a structurally sound structure, that at a minimum is roofed and constructed on an underlying impervious base. The containers holding the broken CRT’s and glass, must be labeled “Used Cathode Ray Tube(s) – Contains Leaded Glass” or “Leaded Glass from Televisions or Computers.” The containers must also be labeled “Do Not Mix With Other Glass Materials.”
Generators of both used intact and used broken CRT’s must ensure the CRT’s are not stored onsite greater than one year. The generator must be able to demonstrate the date that each CRT was first taken out of service. For used broken CRT’s, the out of service date is when the CRT was first removed from service, not from when the CRT glass became broken, if that occurred at a later date. (Note: Collectors and Processors of CRT glass are subject to the requirements of DRGHW Part 261, Subpart E)
Heavy metals are commonly used in electronic components such as printed circuit boards. As there are many types of circuit boards, it is difficult to use knowledge to categorize them as either hazardous or non-hazardous waste. Circuit boards may also contain batteries and mercury switches, both components that routinely are hazardous waste. Printed circuit boards destined for recycling are covered by the scrap metal exemption found in Delaware’s Regulations Governing Hazardous Waste (7 DE Admin. Code, 1302, Part 261 .6(a)(3)(ii)). This exemption allows used, whole circuit boards being recycled to be shipped without becoming subject to Delaware’s Regulations Governing Hazardous Waste.
Shredded circuit boards are covered under the exclusion for shredded circuit boards being recycled (7 DE Admin. Code, 1302, Section 261.4(a)(14)), provided the circuit boards are stored in containers sufficient to prevent a release to the environment prior to recovery, and are free of mercury switches, mercury relays, nickel‑cadmium batteries and lithium batteries.
Once removed, batteries and mercury switches can be managed under the Universal Waste Rule in Delaware’s Regulations Governing Hazardous Waste (7 DE Admin. Code, 1302, Part 273). Be aware that many of the mercury switches, mercury relays, nickel-cadmium batteries and lithium batteries used in the manufacture of circuit boards may be very small and may, on occasion, escape visual inspection. Therefore, directing the entire electronic component to a recycler, rather than first attempting disassembly, may prove most expedient.
Of course, while not preferable, the option remains to demonstrate through Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) analysis that circuit boards are non-hazardous. When so demonstrated, non-hazardous circuit boards may be disposed in a permitted solid waste landfill. The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) operates the state’s solid waste landfills. To dispose of non-hazardous circuit boards in a DSWA landfill, the DSWA must first grant written approval. The DSWA can be contacted at 302-739-5361.
No, Delaware’s Regulations Governing Hazardous Waste (7 DE Admin. Code 1302) prohibit disposal of any hazardous waste into Delaware’s solid waste landfills by hazardous waste generators, including CESQGs. Therefore, Delaware’s generators of hazardous waste may not use these landfills as a disposal option.
Please contact the Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances Compliance and Permitting Section, at 302-739-9403, for information regarding the requirements for CRT collectors and/or CRT processors.
Related Topics: computer, hazardous, Health and Safety, permitting and regulation, waste, waste and hazardous substances, waste management
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