Florida’s Strategy for the Management of End-of-Life Computers, CRTs and Other Electronic Equipment

Recent estimates suggest that 160,000 computers will be discarded into Florida landfills in 1999, and that by 2005, this number could increase to 420,000 computers landfilled. Similarly, televisions discarded in Florida landfills may increase from 1,040,000 in 1999 to 1,200,000 in 2005. The cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in this equipment pose a major health concern, because of their lead content. Obviously, a well-planned strategy is required for managing discarded CRTs. The strategy proposed here includes (1) specifying the regulatory framework to allow CRTs to exit the hazardous waste stream in certain cases; (2) promoting the recycling infrastructure by reimbursing some costs with state funds; (3) evaluating collection strategies and other management options through pilot programs; and (4) developing a state electronics recycling contract, possibly like the state fluorescent lamp recycling contract.