TCEQ clarifies new legislation
July 23, 2008 at 9:53 am | Filed under: TechnoBlog, Texas Recycling
TCEQ logo
The new legislation also includes more specifications and requirements for third-party computer and electronics recyclers. The TCEQ (or Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) was given the charge to work with citizens and business to flesh out the general goals and stipulations of the legislation.
The guidlines for third party computer recyclers were based principally off of the ISRI’s voluntary quality standards. The ISRI (or Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries) is an industry organization with long standing, voluntary quality regulations for its members. Exceptions and clarifications were made where the voluntary standards were either in conflict with or not as clear as Texas law. Texas recyclers are now required to keep records of the flow of hazardous or toxic ewaste through their facilities. They are not to dispose of these controled substances and provide adequate measures to protect employees and the environment from exposure. Remember, the heavy metals and toxins in electronics and computers are properly sealed and safe until we start breaking them down. That is why the blender guy always warns his audience not breathe the smoke.
There are a few noticable omissions in the policy. Certain safety standards, insurance minimums, and most importantly export restrictions are missing. The TCEQ summary of their meeting minutes makes it clear that these practices are highly recommended but unenforceable as they either conflict with existing policy or reach beyond the TCEQ jurisdiction. We applaud Texas law makers for taking these critical steps in the area of computer recycling and are proud to report clean computer recycling in Houston, TX well before these laws were passed. We do initial breakdown in house and send raw materials only to smelters and processors that are domestic or located in other developed countries. Computer recycling is a local act but a global responsibility.
