ComputerEquipmentRecyclingGeneralInfo

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Waste Management – Solid Waste Section

Computer Equipment Recycling
General Information

The Discarded Computer Equipment and Television Management law states that each computer
equipment manufacturer shall provide a free and reasonably convenient recycling program to
take responsibility for computer equipment discarded by consumers. Three levels of plans are
outlined in the law. A manufacturer must choose which plan it will implement and register
accordingly.

Level I Recycling Plan:
The plan must specify how it will be implemented, how environmentally sound
management practices will be used to transport and recycle discarded computer
equipment, and include details pertaining to a consumer recycling education program.
The manufacturer must choose which collection method it will use: mail-back program,
physical collection site, or routine collection events. Collection events may be held in
participation with local governments and/or businesses. The recycling plan shall include
outreach information detailing consumer recycling education and information about the
law. The manufacturer shall operate a toll-free telephone number to answer consumer
questions about computer recycling options.

Level II Recycling Plan:
The plan shall include all of the Level 1 requirements and provide for recycling of
computer equipment that the manufacturer has produced and for computer equipment
produced by other manufacturers. The plan may include collection of other types of
electronics not defined under NCGS 130A-309.131 and may charge a nominal fee for the
collection of those other types of electronics only. The manufacturer shall maintain
physical collection sites in the 10 most populated municipalities and host at least two
collection events annually.

Level III Recycling Plan:
The plan shall include all of the Level I requirements and provide for recycling of
computer equipment that the manufacturer has produced and for computer equipment
produced by other manufacturers. The plan may include collection of other types of
electronics not defined under NCGS 130A-309.131 and may charge a nominal fee for the
collection of those other types of electronics only. The manufacturer shall maintain
physical collection sites in 50 counties, of which 10 of those counties shall be the most
populated counties, and host at least two collection events annually.

Computer manufacturers must submit a report to the Department by October 1st annually that
includes the total weight of computer equipment collected in the previous fiscal year for recycling
and reuse and a summary of actions taken to comply with the requirements of the law.

“Reasonably Convenient" is interpreted to mean that the distance required to be traveled to the
electronics collection site should not discourage consumers from recycling their electronics.

“Nominal fee” is interpreted to mean minimal cost/below the real value.

Computer equipment, televisions, and other types of electronics collected by a North Carolina
local government may be managed at the discretion of the local government; consistent with the
electronics recycling program. A local government may establish recycling and reuse
partnerships with any recycling vendor or manufacturer.

Computer equipment is any computer, monitor or video display unit for a computer system,
peripheral equipment, printing devices such as a printer, a scanner, a combination printer
scanner-fax machine, or other device designed to produce hard paper copies from a computer. A
video game console is considered a computer. Computer keyboards and mice are not considered
peripheral equipment.

Computer equipment and televisions are banned from disposal in landfills. Local governments
have set up collection sites for their residents to drop-off their electronics. Curbside electronics
recycling may also be offered in some areas. Contact your local solid waste department for more
details.

North Carolina General Statute 130A-309.133, “Data Security” states that computer equipment
manufacturers, television manufacturers, discarded computer equipment and television
collectors, recyclers, and retailers shall not be liable in any way for data or other information left
on a covered device that is collected or recovered pursuant to the provisions of this Part.

This document is for reference only.
Refer to the Discarded Computer Equipment and Television Management law for exact language.