NEC NP-UM330X NP115 : Environmental Whitepaper

Projector Recycling

An Environmental Responsibility

I.

ABSTRACT

With the advent of new and emerging electronic

waste (e-waste) mandates, the time has come

for hardware manufacturers and commercial

end users of electronic equipment — like

data and video projectors — to get serious

about keeping the environment safe

and clean.

FORTUNATELY, many projector

manufacturers are already going

down this path, diligently working to

develop next-generation products

made from safer, more environmentally

- friendly materials that comply with

these increasingly stringent require-

ments. As for the multitude of products

reaching end-of-life, projector suppliers

have begun to offer various recycling

and trade-in programs designed to help

ensure outdated hardware is properly and

cost-effectively removed, replaced and reused.

4

MILLION

TO N S

OF

E

-

WASTE

!

This paper explores some of the e-waste challenges

manufacturers and businesses face, overviews the

various projector recycling and trade-in

programs available today, and lists the

advantages of selecting a projector line

that offers a built-in program designed to

help save the environment, save costs

and keep all parties in compliance.

II. CHALLENGES

According to Pacific Media Associates,

a whopping 5.4 million projectors

were sold between 2003 and

2006. Since hardware products like

projectors are being replaced an

average of every two to four years, the

numbers infer that many of those 5.4

million projectors are reaching end-of-

life now….or will soon.

But what happens to old projector hardware?

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of

outdated hardware is actually recycled. The rest goes

into landfills. In fact, the US Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) estimates that more than four million tons of “e-

waste” hits landfills each year. E-waste is loosely defined as “electronic

products nearing ‘end-of-life’”. This is a serious point of concern because many components of such

equipment are considered toxic, particularly those containing lead, mercury and cadmium. If not disposed

of properly, these substances can cause harm to the environment and to people.

MANUFACTURER CHALLENGE - RoHS Directive:

To reduce the amount of toxins in landfills and

ensure proper disposal of electronics equipment, on July 1, 2006, the Restriction of Hazardous

Substances (RoHS) directive was introduced in Europe. Today, manufacturers throughout

Europe, Canada, Japan, China, Australia and certain US states, including California, Maine

and New York are responsible for self-declaring that products comply with RoHS

directives. Non-compliance may result in the banning of products, or a penalty such

as a fine and/or imprisonment, not to mention the potential loss of sales and even

damage to a brand or corporate image.

While the RoHS directive is forcing manufacturers to develop next-generation

products using safer materials for the future,

it doesn’t take care of the millions

of tons of e-waste being placed in landfills now.

COMPANY CHALLENGE – Proper Disposal:

Although Europe and many countries in

Asia have national laws that govern e-waste, currently the US does not. According to IDC’s

2005 Commercial PC Survey, 51 percent of respondents in US organizations say they don’t

have a recycling program in place. But congress is addressing several new bills that may

create tax incentives or credits to encourage companies to recycle through manufacturer-

developed programs. Many states and municipalities have already authorized e-waste laws,

some of which enforce steep fines and other penalties on companies that ignore recycling and

disposal requirements.

By: NEC Corporation of America,

Visual Systems Division