Date: May 4, 2010
Source: National Center for Electronics Recycling
E-waste collection rates rose by an average 8 percent last year, representing the third straight year of increases according to a study by the National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER). Their per capita collection index (PCCI) is an annual measure of collection volumes of used electronic equipment in six ongoing electronics recycling programs across the US. NCER said the rate of increase would have been higher had it not been for a shift in CRT glass markets that delayed the submission of data from California. NCER's Executive Director Jason Linnell said of the results that "it's safe to say that the increase means consumers are both becoming more aware of the need to properly recycle their unwanted electronics and finding increased availability of collection programs." However, he also said it was hard to say whether the current trend was more indicative of increased public awareness, more rapidly evolving technology, the result of pent up demand from previous years, or some combination thereof.
PRESS RELEASE
May 4, 2010
National Center for Electronics Recycling Shows 8% Increase in Electronics Collection Rates in 2009
The National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER) announced today the 2009 per capita collection index (PCCI) for electronics recycling programs as an increase of 8% over 2008. The PCCI is a an annual measure of collection volumes of used electronic equipment in six ongoing electronics recycling programs across the United States. This compares to the 2008 index value of 7% over 2007. The increase seen in the 2009 PCCI would have been even higher if it had not been for a shift in CRT glass markets causing delays in submitting official claims in California that will carry over into 2010.
Except for California, every program tracked by the NCER saw a per capita increase between 5 and 50%. The results in Maine, whose program saw a 50% increase in its third year of operation, as well as other programs challenge the assumption that state mandated programs will see surges in collection in the initial years due to pent-up demand for recycling options before falling off. Had California increased at a rate similar to 2008, the overall PCCI would have been closer to 15%.
"Once again, collection volumes are up and our PCCI shows steady increases in participation among established recycling programs," said NCER Executive Director Jason Linnell. "Although one outlier affected the overall increase in 2009, it's safe to say that the increase means consumers are both becoming more aware of the need to properly recycle their unwanted electronics and finding increased availability of collection programs."
A rising PCCI indicates an increase in the collection of e-waste across the programs included in the index and suggests a similar trend nation-wide. The jurisdictions included in the index are the states of California, Maine, and Delaware; a large municipality in Hennepin County, Minnesota; and two smaller municipalities in Branford, Connecticut and Frederick County, Virginia. For a complete explanation of the assumptions and calculations behind the PCCI, please see: www.ecycleclearinghouse.org/content.aspx?pageid=55
The PCCI was developed under an NCER project known as the National Electronics Recycling Infrastructure Clearinghouse (www.ecyclingresource.org), a joint project with the Consumer Electronics Association. For additional information about the NCER and any of their research projects or programs, call
304-699-1008 or visit www.electronicsrecycling.org.
About the National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER)
The NCER is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Parkersburg, West Virginia that is dedicated to the development and enhancement of a national infrastructure for the recycling of used electronics in the U.S. The NCER manages the statewide network of collectors and recyclers under the Oregon State Contractor Program and administers the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse with the Northeast Recycling Council. For more information about the NCER, visit their website at www.electronicsrecycling.org.
For more information, contact:
Jason Linnell
Phone: 304-699-1008
Email: jlinnell@electronicsrecycling.org.
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