Regulations for Electronics Stewardship
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Rules for Managing Cathode Ray Tubes
A cathode ray tube (CRT) is the glass video display component of an electronic device, usually a computer or television monitor. CRT funnel glass generally contains high enough concentrations of lead that the glass is regulated as hazardous waste when disposed. CRTs and CRT glass were once easily recycled into new CRTs, however, the demand for new CRTs has collapsed in favor of new flat panel technologies. Because of rising costs, negative economic incentives and shifts in CRT glass markets, some CRT processors and recyclers are choosing to store the glass indefinitely rather than send it for recycling or disposal, which increases the risk of mismanagement and/or abandonment of CRTs.
In 2006, EPA amended its regulations to streamline management requirements for recycling of used CRTs and glass removed from CRTs. The amendments excluded these materials from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act definition of solid waste, if certain conditions are met (see title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations in Section 261.4(a)(22)). On June 18, 2014, EPA finalized revisions to the export provisions of the 2006 CRT final rule. These changes allow the Agency to obtain additional information to better track exports of CRTs for reuse and recycling in order to ensure safe management of these materials.
Find out more about EPA's CRT regulations, including information on the 2014 final rule.
State Electronics Laws
Twenty-five U.S. states (plus the District of Columbia) currently have electronics recycling laws. The National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER) developed an interactive map that helps to find out detailed information on state regulations, including a brief summary and link to the laws as well as key dates. Visit NCERs website to find out more about state electronics laws.