Plenary Session I: E-Scrap's Major Issues
October 18th, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Opportunities for electronics product stewardship are determined by the ever-changing world of product use, disposal and management.  The first session provides comprehensive assessments of industry trends. 
Moderator: Eric Harris, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.

MY GLOBAL LEARNING LESSON.   A new, much-discussed book - High-Tech Trash: Digital Devices, Hidden Toxics and Human Health - is helping form the current debate on our handling of e-waste and e-scrap.  Grossman will offer her views, after several years of intense study and global travel, on where this field is headed and the issues that will need attention in the coming years.  Elizabeth Grossman will be available to sign books and speak with attendees following her presentation.  A limited number of books will also be available for sale at the registration table.
     -- Elizabeth Grossman

WHAT ARE CORPORATE IT MANAGERS HEARING?  A leading market research executive describes a recent research project aimed at aiding IT managers in addressing end-of-life electronics recycling issues.   Are asset managers changing the way they manage e-scrap, and is this a new business opportunity for reclaimers?  You will learn the answers to these and other notable questions.
     -- David Daoud, IDC

WHAT'S UP AT THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER MAKER?  In the past year, Dell Inc. received plaudits from former critics for its aggressive global actions in electronics product stewardship.  The moves came, however, during a period of intense competition and market share battles.  Dell's sustainability leader describes what's going on and what's ahead for this industry giant, and for the industry overall.
     -- Tod Arbogast, Dell Inc.

LAWS, LAWS AND MORE LAWS.   The 2006 legislative cycle was a busy as ever for proponents of state action in e-scrap management.  We offer our annual legislative review, with a special emphasis on a fascinating new law in Washington State, as well as separate initiatives in New England and in the Midwest, where numerous states are looking to approve a uniform bill.
     -- Lori Stole, Stole Consulting

Plenary Session II: Designing Solutions
October 18th, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Modern electronics contain a myriad of materials and parts in one small box.  Some obsolete products are easy to refurbish or recycle, while others pose significant processing and operational problems.  Is the design community aware of e-scrap recycling concerns? What are the elements of "good" electronics? This important session focuses on electronics design from a reuse and recycling perspective. 
Moderator: Renee St. Denis, Hewlett-Packard (invited)

WHAT WOULD MAKE COMPUTERS MORE RECYCLABLE? In a specially commissioned study for the E-Scrap Conference, researchers are asking North American scrap electronics processors to describe the best features of a reusable or recyclable computer system and the greatest impediments to handling these items.  What design aspects should be incorporated in new electronics to make the job of recycling easier?  Come to this session to learn the results of this intriguing assessment.
     -- Wayne Rifer, EPEAT

WHAT ARE ELECTRONICS DESIGNERS HEARING?  New European compliance standards -- RoHS and WEEE -- have been high on everyone's tactical issues, and the stress from legislated deadlines, late standards, supply chain scrambles and the lack of codified procedures have burned out more than a few managers and budgets.  Roughly half of electronics companies' executives realize environmental requirements are just getting started, yet they are caught without a strategic approach to meet these requirements profitably.   A leading industry analyst will describe how executives and design engineers are addressing designs-for-the-environment initiatives while maintaining profitability.
     -- Pamela Gordon, Technology Forecasters

Concurrent Session A: Results of Innovative State Actions
October 18th, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Three states have recently implemented three distinctly different approaches to recovering obsolete electronics.  The top managers of state programs in California, Maine and Maryland will each outline their program's successes and pitfalls, and then answer your questions.
Moderator: Paul Adamson, Round2 Technologies

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM SHARED PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP?  Maine is the only state where electronics producers and local governments share the cost of recycling obsolete items.   Many industry officials are closely watching the results to see what can be learned.  The program's top manager will present a comprehensive summary.
     -- Carole Cifrino, Maine Department of Environmental Protection

WHERE IS THE NATION'S LARGEST STATE HEADED?  With nearly two years of experience under its belt, the e-scrap recovery program operating in California has generated some startling results.  Is the advanced-recycling-fee system working smoothly?   What's ahead for this huge program?  A top official lays out the facts.
     -- Shirley Willd Wagner, California Integrated Waste Management Board

WILL EQUIPMENT PRODUCERS HELP PAY FOR LOCAL COLLECTIONS?  A one-of-a-kind legislated program in Maryland assesses a fee on original equipment producers, in which the funds are then cycled to local governments to help fund the cost of e-scrap collection initiatives.   The results of this effort will be summarized during this session.
     -- Hilary Miller, Maryland Department of Environment

Concurrent Session B: Three Intriguing Policy Issues
October 18th, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
The panel will look at several compelling issues in electronics product stewardship, providing the findings of important, first-ever research projects and analytical assessments. 
Moderator: Liz McCleskey, Cingular Wireless

WHY ISN'T E-SCRAP COLLECTION OCCURRING EVERYWHERE?  Although nearly 10,000 American communities have established curbside recycling collection programs, only 1,000 cities or counties offer e-scrap recycling services, such as sponsoring collection events for businesses and households.  In an important survey, we asked waste management officials in key non-participating communities why they do not offer service and what it would take to get them on board.
     -- Anne Peters, Gracestone

CAN WE REACH AGREEMENT? A rising number of states have completed or established e-scrap stakeholder task forces, looking at ways to improve local electronics recycling.  Many of these efforts are the result of state legislation.  One of the issues being addressed includes the potential need to regulate e-scrap processors to assure that they run clean plants.  Come to this session to find out what can we learn from these detailed state assessments.
     -- Pamela Brody Heine, Eco-Stewardship Strategies

WILL PLASTICS FROM ELECTRONICS BECOME AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE?  The engineered polymers used in many electronics contain additives to reduce flammability and provide other benefits.  Is the inclusion of these chemicals in landfilled e-waste an environmental problem?   Recent research by a Canadian scientist helps answer this important question.
     -- Monica Danon-Schaffer, University of British Columbia

Concurrent Session C: Federally Initiated Cooperative Projects Show Promise
October 18th, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
In 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hosted a national meeting of electronics stakeholders to design new projects to help bolster the collection and recycling of obsolete electronics.  During this session, EPA staff will provide an update on the many initiatives stemming from last year's meeting.  In particular, EPA will report on its soon-to-be-released update of electronics waste management statistics.  In addition, panelists will describe progress on stakeholder discussions regarding the certification of scrap electronics processors, as well as a research report issued on third-party organizations.  EPA staff will also explain the recently issued final CRT rule and discuss a planned pilot to expand the Federal Electronics Challenge to the state level.  Finally, a short summary will be provided by the innovative Plug-In to eCycling program, which aims to increase awareness of and opportunities for consumers to donate and recycle used electronics. 
Moderator and Presenter: Clare Lindsay, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
     -- Verena Radulovic, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
     -- Karen Pollard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
     -- Bob Tonetti, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Concurrent Session D: Key Collection and Processing Concerns
October 18th, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Everyone wants to see more obsolete electronics collected, reused and recycled.  A number of alternatives are available, and this session focuses on several of them. 
Moderator: John Yob, Creative Recycling Systems

QUANTIFYING THE COST OF STATE-BY-STATE MANDATES: THE PATCHWORK STUDY.  How much "dead weight" costs are incurred by industry, government and consumers, because states are imposing e-scrap mandates instead of a single national program?  What costs would be eliminated or reduced if the growing state patchwork were replaced by a federal program?  Findings of this study by the National Center for Electronics Recycling will be presented.
     -- Walter Alcorn, National Center for Electronics Recycling

PUT THOSE LOGISTICS INTO REVERSE.   The U.S. Postal Service is in everyone's neighborhood.  Does the world's largest postal system have a potential role in getting obsolete electronics out of the hands of users and having them end up at reclamation facilities?  USPS is moving forward, and we offer a summary of its plans.
     -- Dan Barrett, U.S. Postal Service

DOING MORE TO REUSE AND REFURBISH UNWANTED ELECTRONICS.  A vibrant and widespread electronics reuse industry operates in North America, with many of these facilities provided by non-profit educational and charitable organizations.  What do these managers say?  What are the key issues confronting reusers and refurbishers?  An executive from CompuMentor provides a detailed overview.
     -- Jim Lynch, CompuMentor

Plenary Session III: Getting the Job Done
October 19th, 8:30 am - 10:00 am
Moderator: Peter Muscanelli, International Association of Electronics Recyclers

HOW SHOULD WE COLLECT THAT PILE?   For the fourth consecutive year, we surveyed all known e-scrap collection programs in the U.S. (over 1,000). You will learn how municipal e-scrap collection practices are changing and what to expect in the coming years, as more local communities gear up to handle computers and other obsolete electronic items.
     -- Betty Patton, Environmental Practices

STATE OF THE UNION: ELECTRONICS RECYCLING STYLE.  Since the National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative, it has been common to refer to an electronics recycling "infrastructure."  But should we be looking at this concept simply by counting the number of collection points and processors in the U.S.?  What is truly needed for a "national infrastructure" in this country, and where do we stand on key measures?
     -- Jason Linnell, National Center for Electronics Recycling

THE EFFECTS FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MASSIVE SYSTEMS IN EUROPE.  The experiences in Europe can point the way for product stewardship planners in other areas of the world.   Of special importance is an understanding of how private reclaimers and others can win or lose when various types of national systems are implemented.  A leading researcher provides a timely summary.
     -- Federico Magalini, UNV/ZCF European Focal Point

Plenary Session IV: Moving Forward in North America
October 19th, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Moderator: Parker Brugge, Consumer Electronics Association

CANADA MOVES AHEAD: THE LESSONS LEARNED. Within a short period, all Canadian provinces will likely operate large scale e-scrap recovery systems.  Currently, a handful of different approaches are being considered.  We've asked a leading industry executive to give us his view of recent actions and the steps that need to be taken.
     -- David Betts, Electronics Product Stewardship Canada

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON: A FEDERAL COMPUTER RECYCLING UPDATE.  Electronics recycling is receiving increased attention in Washington.  A prominent political figure will offer an update on the current proposals being introduced to the U.S. Congress.  He will also describe new reports from the General Accounting Office and the U.S. Department of Commerce, plus offer details about activities for 2007 to help all stakeholders come together to build momentum for a federal approach to electronics recycling.
     -- Grant Mydland, Computer Technology Industry Association

THE NEXT ROUND OF STATE ACTION.  Even though state legislation in e-scrap recycling has just a two-year history, a growing body of activity is taking place to develop the next generation of state initiatives.  Many activists say that future legislation should move beyond merely managing display devices.  Should new measures address scrap export practices?  Do state laws do enough to boost electronics recycling?  A recognized expert will provide the details.
     -- Sego Jackson, Snohomish County Washington

Closing Plenary Session: What Do Leading Processors and End-Users View As the Big Issues Ahead?
October 19th, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
As in past years, we close the conference with a thorough review of the key trends affecting the recovery of obsolete electronics in the U.S. and Canada.  This discussion is based on important research undertaken solely for the conference. 
Moderator: Jerry Powell, E-Scrap News

RECYCLING TRENDS, RECYCLING ISSUES.  E-Scrap News surveyed electronics reclaimers throughout the U.S. and Canada focusing on hot issues, including the role of exports, current market conditions, industry, economics, etc.  We also took a look at recent changes in the CRT recycling market.  You'll learn about what's hot, what's not and what will most likely affect the reclamation industry in the years ahead?
     -- Jerry Powell, E-Scrap News

ARE THE NEW SYSTEMS IN NORTH AMERICA A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY OR A BUSINESS BUST?  A survey of the e-scrap reclaimers paid to handle recovered items in Alberta, California and Maine reveal fascinating results.  Did the programs lead to over-building by processors?  Are tonnages sufficient?  Are these governmental initiatives good or bad for business and local governments?
     -- Kim Holmes, E-Scrap News

HOW WILL ELECTRONICS RECOVERY CHANGE IN THE YEARS AHEAD?  After presenting these findings, we'll then ask a panel of respected industry leaders to offer their views and responses.  Find out where the major experts see the industry heading.
     -- Dag Adamson, LifeSpan Technology Recycling
     -- Bob Glavin, United Recycling Industries
     -- Neil Peters-Michaud, Cascade Asset Management
     -- Steve Skurnac, Noranda Recycling

Return to E-Scrap 2007 Agenda