Hazardous Waste > Dangerous Materials > Electronics as Dangerous Waste

Electronics as Dangerous Waste

Some kinds of electronic wastes may designate as dangerous waste.  In order to facilitate recycling, however, many types of electronics can be excluded from the regulations when they are properly handled. However, any electronics that designate as dangerous waste that are not recycled remain subject to full regulation and Ecology enforcement under the Dangerous Waste Regulations.

E-Cycle Washington is a program that allows households, small businesses, school districts, small governments and charities to bring in certain electronic devices to be recycled free of charge.

Washington Materials Management & Financing Authority (WMMFA) site has information for businesses that might want to participate in the program as collectors or transporters of consumer electronics.

E-waste Not Cathode Ray Tubes

Any electronic waste that designates as dangerous waste, other than Cathode Ray Tubes, like many monitors and televisions (see below), can be managed under the interim enforcement policy.

Interim Enforcement Policy For Conditional Exclusion for Electronic Waste  is an interim policy to provide clear direction on managing computer and television related electronic wastes that are dangerous wastes and that are not cathode ray tubes.

Electronic waste (other than CRTs managed under the conditional exclusion) that is generated, transported, collected, accumulated, dismantled, and recycled:

• Does not have to be counted as a dangerous waste (which means that generator status is not affected).
• Does not need to be manifested when transported off-site (although any applicable Department of Transportation requirements for transportation of hazardous materials still apply).
• Must be legitimately recycled, including reclamation and reuse of parts. Reclamation includes businesses that salvage usable parts (for example, “dismantlers”) to refurbish other electronics.

Personal computer equipment such as central processing units, printers, and keyboards that designate as dangerous waste may be managed as described above. Recycling of associated materials that do not designate as dangerous waste is highly encouraged.

Cathode Ray Tubes are Conditionally Excluded

Cathode Ray Tubes or CRTs are usually managed under a conditional exclusion. They contain a large amount of lead, as well as other heavy metals.  In order to encourage recycling of these screens and monitors, special rules conditionally exclude these wastes from dangerous waste management

Excluded categories of waste at is at WAC 173-303-071(3)(oo)  in the Dangerous Waste Regulations and includes CRTs. 

Handle Cathode Ray Tubes Properly

Store CRTs safely inside.  Each container in which a CRT is contained must be labeled or marked clearly with one of the following phrases:

• "Used cathode ray tube(s) - contains leaded glass" OR
• "leaded glass from televisions or computers." AND
• "Do not mix with other glass materials."

Related information

Electronic products recycling program is established at Chapter 173-900 WAC.