Fact Sheets and Case Studies: European Union Electrical and Electronic Products Directives This fact sheet provides an overview of the European Union’s Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE Directive) and the Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS Directive). WEEE and RoHS Directives:
INFORM’s Tips for a Cleaner, “Greener” Holiday One of the enduring images of the December holiday season is the imposing mound of garbage that follows the wrapping and opening of gifts, the office party, and the holiday dinner. But the holidays can be just as much fun, just as meaningful, and just as colorful without
Purchasing for Pollution Prevention: Specifying and Sourcing Mercury-Free HVAC and Building Equipment — PDF version. In the past, mechanical systems used in buildings might contain pounds of mercury. While manufacturers of building equipment have made substantial progress in reducing or eliminating mercury in building system control devices, some HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) and
Community Waste Prevention Toolkit: Carpet Fact Sheet Preventing Carpet Waste Every year, 4 billion pounds of carpet are discarded in the United States,(1) of which only about 1 percent is recycled.(2) For commercial facilities, government agencies, and institutions such as schools and hospitals, disposing of large amounts of used carpet can be a major cost
In 1994, United States residents generated over 209 million tons of municipal solid waste. If current trends continue, by 2010, we will have an additional 70 million tons to manage each year. Approximately one-third of our waste is generated by businesses, such as offices, restaurants, and retail stores. The amount of office waste can be
The Federal Republic of Germany has initiated the world’s most ambitious national solid waste policy, one that already has had international repercussions. The Ordinance on the Avoidance of Packaging Waste (Verpackungsverordnung), passed in 1991, makes industry responsible for its packages to the end of their life cycles, including the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling
Downloading: Preventing Computer Waste Personal computers are a growing waste management problem. In 1998 alone, more than 20 million PCs became obsolete in the US, and fewer than 11 percent of them were recycled.(1) The rest — almost 18 million computers — were landfilled, incinerated, or stored away in closets or warehouses. By 2007, the
Community Waste Prevention Toolkit: Toner Cartridge Fact Sheet Re-Charge! Preventing Toner Cartridge Waste Each year, millions of empty toner and inkjet cartridges used in laser printers, fax machines, and copiers are thrown in the trash, destined for landfills and incinerators. Buying locally remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges — and recycling empty cartridges — is an
Community Waste Prevention Toolkit: Battery Fact Sheet Reduce, Recharge, Recycle! Preventing Waste from Batteries Batteries are an integral part of modern life, affecting the way we work, play, communicate, and travel. They are used to power devices large and small, from watches, pagers, and cell phones to clocks and household appliances to computers, power tools,
Purchasing for Pollution Prevention: Fact Sheet on Mercury in Fluorescent Lamps Purchasing for Pollution Prevention: The Lowdown on Mercury in Fluorescent Lamps (PDF version) Most government agencies, schools, hospitals, and businesses purchase fluorescent lamps for their facilities because they are more energy-efficient than incandescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps are in fact the best choice because of
