Advice Needed on an Ewaste Contract - Page 2

It's possible that the State of Montana EPA is still trying to figure itself if you're getting mixed signals.

No idea if this would be any help but you might ask them to think of it in one of two ways.



1: You could be classified as a dismantler. That's a person who dismantles an electronic device and sends the whole circuit boards somewhere else for further processing -or- reuse as a used part.

2: You could be classified as a refiner. That's a person that dismantles the circuit boards to recover the copper, aluminum, and precious metals.

Big difference between the two.

A whole circuit board is a relatively harmless thing.

Breaking the boards down is a dirty process that can release a lot of toxins into the environment if not done properly.

Refining needs to be more tightly regulated.

Update: I finally got a straight answer! I did some in depth research into the EPA definitions and classifications of ewaste and sent off a question to them. After a few weeks I got an answer from them stating that no certifications are required but are encouraged. I then called the head of the Montana DEQ(pretty much the EPA of montana). As it turns out, they require a recycling license if the material is deemed as worthless to the supplier of materials(includes if the recycler is paid to recycle materials). I currently buy the materials with the intent to resell, fix, and refurbish automatically making the material of value and not deemed as worthless. As a result I don't need any licenses/certifications to buy and sell electronics and circuit boards. This makes it official that the new venture can begin!

Originally Posted by 406Refining

Update: I finally got a straight answer! I did some in depth research into the EPA definitions and classifications of ewaste and sent off a question to them. After a few weeks I got an answer from them stating that no certifications are required but are encouraged. I then called the head of the Montana DEQ(pretty much the EPA of montana). As it turns out, they require a recycling license if the material is deemed as worthless to the supplier of materials(includes if the recycler is paid to recycle materials). I currently buy the materials with the intent to resell, fix, and refurbish automatically making the material of value and not deemed as worthless. As a result I don't need any licenses/certifications to buy and sell electronics and circuit boards. This makes it official that the new venture can begin!

I wish your venture could proceed to next consecutive years so that I could have a hand shake with you when I am ready with my ewaste recycling company setup in India.. And I wish your capacity increases more than 100000 lb

Update: I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that I am now getting flat screen TV's from a local supplier who has about 6-8 pallets of them. The bad news is that I just lost my drop off location. When I started this venture I pitched the idea of a drop off location to the place I work. They thought it was a good idea and let me use their location. Unfortunately that is no longer the case. Yesterday I had a very sketchy guy stop by. Out of 10 he would be an 8 or 9. I'm not one to judge but my gut feeling was not good. He got a little bit upset that he wasn't getting "what it was worth" for his laptop with a broken screen. He then left and said he'd be back in a less than friendly way. Needless to say my work place shut the operation down on the spot and said no more. I now have to redo my entire business model as a drop off location was a key part of the operation. This is definitely a setback as I live out in the country. I also have not heard anything from the local landfill about the ewaste contract.

im sure u will find another drop off location.
ask around- target those businesses that generate some scrap metal that you can pick up from them.

ideally in a more industrial area bcos they are more likely to have a bigger yard & space for your stuff.

just my two bit worth.