NEC NP-V260X NP115 : Environmental Whitepaper - Page 1

Projector Recycling An Environmental Responsibility 5.4 MILLION PROJECTORS SOLD 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 requirements. 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end-of-life, projector suppliers have begun to offer various recycling and trade-in programs designed to help ensure outdated hardware is properly and cost-effectively removed, replaced and reused. 4 MILLION TONS OF E-WASTE! By: NEC Corporation of America, Visual Systems Division 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-oflife 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 Unfortunately, only a small percentage of outdated hardware is actually recycled.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 "ewaste" 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 manufacturerdeveloped 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.