New CRT Rules

EPA PROMULGATES NEW RULES FOR CRTs

EPA announced in July 2006 that it was providing conditional exclusions from the federal hazardous waste management standards for cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and CRT glass destined for recycling. A CRT is the glass video display component of an electronic device (usually a computer or television monitor). About 57 million computers and televisions are sold in the United States annually.

The glass in CRTs typically contains enough lead to require managing it as hazardous waste under certain circumstances. EPA stated under the previous regulations, businesses and other organizations that recycle or dispose of CRTs were sometimes unclear about the proper way to recycle or dispose of this equipment. This uncertainty prevents CRTs from being recycled and reused. EPA is changing CRT waste management requirements to promote additional safe recycling and reuse of CRTs.

Under the new regulations, used, unbroken CRTs are not regulated as hazardous waste as long as the following conditions are met:

CRT containers are clearly labeled regarding contents;

CRTs are safely transported in containers designed to minimize releases;

CRTs are stored in a building or container designed to minimize releases; and

CRTs are stored on site less than one year before recycling.

To remain unregulated, CRTs undergoing glass processing must follow the same requirements, except they must be processed inside a building, at temperatures not high enough to volatilize lead from the glass. CRT glass that has been processed and sent to a CRT glass manufacturer or a lead smelter also is unregulated, unless it is stored for more than one year, or used in a manner constituting disposal (applied to the land). CRT glass going to any other kind of recycler may be eligible for exemption under existing regulations.

For more information contact Tad Goetcheus, P.E. at (800) 752-3922.