E-Waste recycling in Ca

**dmack976** · 08-16-2013, 03:21 AM

I live in Cali and I have been reading on US EPA website and I am unclear about a few things. So an individual collect CRT monitors and processing them for their copper yokes and wires. To my understanding as long as I do not break the glass I should be fine. Also I should be fine with getting computers too right. I have been trying to find laws and need to know to I need a permit? I printed up some business cards and they say E-Waste recycling "Help keep E-Waste out of our landfills.TVs Computers, Washer, Dryers Cellphones and more". Should I be handing these out.I take and break down computers and televisions for their copper and circuit boards. I really do not feel like being fined. I will be calling the EPA and local city hall to see if i need a permit or not. I do no refining or break downs of anything I touch. I plan on selling the circuit board to people on here. And I take my televisions to the local landfill on E-Waste day. If anyone can help that knows about California laws that would be great.

**NobleMetalWorks** · 08-16-2013, 04:07 AM

There is the Federal EPA, and the state of California EPA, there is your local laws both county and city you need to comply with.

If you are collecting e-waste, and storing it for any length of time there are certain laws or regulations you need to comply with. For example in some areas you cannot store anything with a PC board outside, or close to a storm drain, or during the rainy season, etc.

Also, there are specific laws about certain types of e-waste, and transporting them with batteries, or storing the batteries, etc.

There are also specific emission laws you must comply with if you are running any equipment.

Some businesses will not do business with you if you are not an e-steward, you can look into that information here:
Call2Recycle: An e-Stewards Recognized Program | Call2Recycle | United States

Here are some other helpful sites:

Federal EPA:
State Radon Contacts: California | Radon | US Environmental Protection Agency

Federal EPA E-Waste
Electronics Recycling (eCycling) | Common Wastes & Materials | US EPA

California EPA:
Home Page: California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA)

California EPA E-Waste:
Cal/EPA Electronic Waste Management Home Page

California Toxic Substance Control
Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste)

CalRecycle E-Waste
What Is E-Waste?

If you are going to be in the public eye, handing our business cards, passing around flyers, etc. You are going to want to make sure you are properly licensed and keep current permits. There are people out there that believe it's their mission in life to report anyone, no matter if they are properly processing or disposing of e-waste, recycling e-waste for any perceived offenses.

You might also want to retain a lawyer who specializes in e-waste recycling, or at least consult with one, if you are planning on doing so on a large scale.

I have been going through the licensing process for months now, it's a little different for my business because I'm recovering and refining precious metals, but still, to properly be permitted and licensed you are going to have to navigate a sea of confusion. Be thankful you don't have to hire an engineer to submit the proper plans to get your licensing and permits in order.

And good luck!

Scott

**dmack976** · 08-16-2013, 04:21 AM

Well thank you Scott. I took down my craigslist ad and for now I will not be handing out my business cards. A guy at the computer store brought it to my attention that I may want to get a permit. I CIWMB186 form and will be filling that out. I still can not find how much it will cost in fees to get a license to this. I am wanting to work on a small scale you know and sell motherboards and daughter boards to people who will buy them. I am not longer going to be dealing with anymore CRT. I am happy the dump is across the street and will take the televisions I have. So for now I will go back to cans and any metals I find. Boy do I hate Cali. By the way i will not be running any machine. Just want used electronics. And I want copper from older CRT. But we will have to wait until I make some phone calls you know. This will be out of my own house so... Thanks again s

**NobleMetalWorks** · 08-16-2013, 04:28 AM

If you are only doing it on a small scale out of your garage, and not processing over a certain amount, or making over a certain amount, I believe you can do it as a hobby. I'm not sure at what point the law changes, but I know that there is some tolerance. It's difficult to wade through all the material and figure things out on your own. I actually have an engineer who is helping with my licensing, and had to retain a EPA attorney as well.

Scott

**maglev** · 11-30-2013, 06:13 PM

I'm pretty sure the CIWMB186 (CalRecycle's CEW payment program) is optional. If you're just going to be giving your CRT's to someone else to handle, I wouldn't worry about it.