Links
Green Electronics Council
The council supports the effective design, manufacture, use and recovery of electronic products to contribute to a healthy, fair and prosperous world.
http://www.greenelectronicscouncil.org/
Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
EPEAT is a procurement tool to help institutional purchasers in the
public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers,
notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also
provides a clear and consistent set of performance criteria for the design
of products, and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market
recognition for efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its products.
http://www.epeat.net
The RoHS Directive
The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain
hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment". This Directive
bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment
containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent
chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
flame retardants.
http://www.rohs.gov.uk
The National Recycling Coalition's Electronics Recycling Initiative
This project is made possible with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Postal Service. The goal of the NRC's Electronics Recycling Initiative is to promote the recovery, reuse and recycling of obsolete electronic equipment, and to encourage the design, manufacture and purchase of environmentally responsible electronic equipment. See Resources for the searchable national database.
Health Care Without Harm
The campaign for environmentally responsible healthcare — this site includes fundamental information for healthcare facilities that want to incorporate sustainable products or practices in their operations. This site has a section on the issue of Electronics as well as Guidelines for addressing the environmental and public health threats of electronic products and for procuring environmentally preferable electronic products and electronics recycling.
http://www.hcwh.org/goinggreen#electronics
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E)
H2E provides valuable information and resources for ‘greener’ hospital facilities. Topics include: eliminating mercury use, environmentally preferable purchasing, waste reduction, and green design in building facilities. A joint project of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the American Hospital Association, the American Nurses Association and Health Care Without Harm.
Computer TakeBack Campaign
The goal of the Computer TakeBack Campaign is to protect the health and well-being of electronic users, workers, and the communities where electronics are produced and discarded by requiring consumer electronics manufacturers and brand owners to take full responsibility for the life cycle of their products, through effective public policy requirements or enforceable agreements.
http://www.computertakeback.com
Basel Action Network (BAN)
The Basel Action Network works to prevent the globalization of the toxic waste crisis. BAN’s goal is to prevent trade in toxic waste exported from rich to poorer countries, and to promote global environmental justice and a toxics-free world. Their documentary on the real consequences of exporting e-waste to developing countries, Exporting Harm, is available through the site. BAN also manages the Electronic Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship.
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC)
SVTC provides resources, technical documents, slide presentations, report cards, and directories on computer recycling, sustainable water programs, and international efforts to reduce the impacts of the electronic industry on the environment and public health.
HIPAA requirements
A data security plan should be in place before releasing equipment. Healthcare facilities need to comply with HIPAA by ensuring data security before equipment is donated or reused in any form. Refer to the HIPAA information database.
http://www.hipaadvisory.com/tech/disksan.htm
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA site has several pertinent resources to assist in assessment of equipment that may be categorized as hazardous waste.
- http://www.epa.gov/rcraonline/
- http://www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/cercla.htm
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EPA Responsible Recycling Practice
Download pdf
or visit: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/r2practices.htm