CA - Anyone part of CalRecycle's CEW payment system?

**maglev** · 12-05-2013, 07:56 PM

In CA, the state charges an extra fee when you purchase CRT's (or, Covered Electronics, in CA terminology). This fee is then passed on to state approved collectors and recyclers to ensure that haz mat's are being properly disposed of.

Does anyone on here take part in CalRecycle's Covered Electronics Waste fee system (CIWMB 186)? What can you get per monitor? I'm just wondering if it's worth the hassle of jumping through the hoops, or if I should just pull out what copper I can from CRT's and then drop them off at a free recycling center. I'm pretty small-time right now, but I'm open to expanding in the future.

Also - if you're in CA and understand all the regulations on a small e-waste business, let me know if I can message you. I think I understand things, but I just want to make sure.

**ryanw** · 12-05-2013, 08:11 PM

I don't remember the exact numbers, but I think collectors get about 0.20/lb, and recyclers get 0.30-0.35/lb. If you are a collector/recycler you get it all. You first need to register with DTSC. Then, wherever you are located has to be zoned for recycling or recycle collection, and your business license must reflect that your business operations include recycling. Then, you can apply to be a CEW collector. Lots of reporting and info to keep track of. I believe the burden of proof for the origin of the CRTs is on recyclers that get this information from the collectors...so it's harder on the recyclers to get reimbursed for everything. I may be wrong on this, but I believe the recyclers pay the collectors, then get reimbursed by the state.

Anyway, unless you're getting literal tons of these a month, don't bother. Just find a collector or recycler and work out a deal with them. They will still need the paper trail for each one to see where they came from.

Different cities and counties will have different zoning, restrictions, and requirements for an ewaste operation. It's important to distinguish between a recycler and a collector and what both are able to do. You do NOT want to start looking into being a recycler unless you want to spend your days forever trapped in a flood of paperwork, inspections, and fines.

My advice is just keep plugging along in the hobby side of things until you feel this is for you or not.

Feel free to pm me with questions, and I'll try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

**maglev** · 12-06-2013, 04:05 AM

I'll just ask publicly, in case anyone else can benefit from the info. I'm trying to figure out what permits are required for a small e-waste business, and it seems all I'd need is a business license and to notify the DTSC of intent to handle u-waste. But I'm trying to start out just collecting - without a warehouse; so it would be preferable to not have to deal with the DTSC. I know someone on here was in that same situation before, but I didn't see any resolution to his story.

All electronics are classified as universal waste, right? Not just the components that contain haz mats? Cause if it were just the components, then I would just keep myself from accumulating 220 lbs. If you keep under 220 lbs you can opt out of being regulated as a conditionally exempt small quantity generator. But I'm pretty sure it's the entire electronics that are considered u-waste. In that case, that limit gets reached pretty quickly...

What's your experience with the DTSC? Are they big on inspections? Are there a lot of regulations concerning the workspace?

Thanks for any help!

**waredu** · 12-06-2013, 10:12 AM

So glad I live in Texas...

**ryanw** · 12-06-2013, 04:11 PM

Ok. I understand that you want to know everything about what you are getting into, but this is really nothing to worry about right now unless you have a larger scale operation going. To answer your question, *most* electronics are universal waste. PCBs make these things UW, so something like an electric motor is not UW. Yes, it counts for the whole item that you have, not just the components inside.

I registered my address with DTSC. No inspections, although I believe I need to file a report at the end of the year. I collect what some people consider ewaste, or universal waste, but really the majority of it gets reused in one form or another.

The best advice you can get for your area is at your local SBA office.

**maglev** · 12-07-2013, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the tip - I sent the SBA an email. I'm also looking into talking to a lawyer to make sure I have a handle on the laws and regulations.

Here's my situation - I want to try some new collection strategies that will put me in the public eye. If I'm out there passing out my info, and directing people to my website (not up yet), then I want to make sure I'm doing things up to code. Also, if it works - and I'm able to establish a steady stream of material in, then I want to be prepared for that. (All it takes is one complaint to get you in trouble.) I'm planning on just working out of a storage unit for the time being. If things work out, then I'll upgrade to a warehouse somewhere down the line. But I'm assuming the DTSC wouldn't look too kindly on working out of a storage facility. Maybe this is all stuff I don't really need to worry about now. But I'd rather understand things from the start that risk getting things up and running only to get shut down. Or worse yet - get hit with a hefty fine. Am I worrying about nothing, though? It's not like I'm gonna be refining for gold. I'm just breaking down towers, really.

For the DTSC form - did you register as a Handler or a Recycler? I can't get ahold of anyone at the DTSC, but it seems to me that once you open up a tower you become a Recycler. I'm assuming the regulations are a bit more strict then.

**Julie** · 12-08-2013, 10:49 AM

Hi there - hopefully you'll find your niche with this and give that CEAR company some competition.... If i had the financial backing Lord knows that's what I would be doing!

CA - Anyone part of CalRecycle's CEW payment system?

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