The massive volumes collected throughout the state have made weaknesses in the Illinois electronic recycling legislation apparent. The primary weakness is the formula used to calculate a manufacturer's recycling goal for a program year. Essentially, a manufacturer's recycling goal is 50% of the prior year's sales (by weight) statewide, with no financial penalty for anything over 70% of that goal. As should have been expected, those goals were easily met by television manufacturers in early August. Compounding the problem is the difference between newer, lighter, flat screen televisions and the much heavier cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions being recycled. Processors and collectors of electronics were notified, according to various agreements, that reimbursement for collection of these items would no longer be available for 2014. The cost to properly recycle the CRT glass used in televisions and monitors far exceeds the minimal value of metals used in each unit. Without the reimbursement from the manufacturer, the cost to recycle the glass is now passed along.

Reporting the circumstances of this issue has led to a rumor that the TCRCF is closing. This is not true. The situation is fluid at the moment, and there are several actions being taken that might address the problem in the short-term while a long-term solution is being worked out. Regardless, the TCRCF has the ability to adapt to whatever happens and continue providing services.

Why is CRT Glass Such a Problem?

The simple answer is that it contains lead and there are extraordinary quantities to contend with. The specific problem, however, is cost. Currently, there are four North American processors that can meet the R2 and e-Stewards certifications for responsible recycling of CRT glass, only one of which is located in the United States. These processors maintain that they still have processing capacity remaining, but circumstantial evidence suggests that the remaining capacity comes at a prohibitive cost. There have been reports all across the nation of CRT stockpiling. Shipping and processing costs were stated factors in many of those instances. Without the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) credits provided by state law, those processing costs become even more prohibitive.

That leads to the next part of the problem. In order to secure those credits, the processors must meet the R2 or e-Stewards standard for electronic recycling. With CRT glass, that means reuse in a downstream product. The most common downstream use of CRT glass has traditionally been...more CRT glass. Production of new CRT televisions has ceased in the United States, and is in the process of disappearing world-wide. Other innovative uses for CRT glass exist, but nothing that can meet the quantity needs as currently projected. National estimates predict that the CRT problem will persist for another 10 years. Our program history suggests it will probably improve in the next three to five years, but persist as a problem for a much longer time.