GSA Bulletin FMR B-4
Utilization and Disposal

To: Heads of Federal agencies

Subject: Environmentally safe procedures covering the utilization and disposal of electronic equipment.

1. What is the purpose of this bulletin? This bulletin provides guidance to Federal agencies that transfer, donate, or otherwise dispose of computers and other electronic equipment.

2. When does this bulletin expire? This bulletin remains in effect until cancelled.

3. What is the background? The disposition of electronic equipment, especially computers and computer monitors, has become a challenge for Federal agencies because the equipment contains hazardous materials and/or toxic substances such as cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. Agencies disposing of computer monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRT) and other electronic equipment by exercising the abandonment and destruction authority under FMR section 102-36.305   (41 CFR 102-36.305) should use caution since some of the components contained in the equipment are potentially subject to hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Federal government encourages the reuse and recycling of used electronic equipment.  In fact, computers and other electronic items that will continue to be used in the public or private sectors are not waste products and are not subject to hazardous waste regulations.  The federal environmental laws and regulations generally allow persons or entities disposing of electronic equipment for the reuse of the equipment by others, to presume that such equipment will actually be reused. 

This presumption, of course, does not apply when such persons or entities dispose of electronic equipment by sending such equipment to disposal facilities or to materials recovery operations (such as metal smelters).  Computers and other electronic equipment sent to materials recovery operations are wastes, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) excludes from RCRA regulation the components most likely to be classified as hazardous.  In addition, EPA has proposed to exclude CRTs sent to some types of materials recovers provided the handlers meet minor conditions.  The disposal of any item to a disposal facility or a materials recovery operation must be in compliance with all applicable Federal, state and local environmental laws.  Likewise, due diligence should be exercised in disposing waste computers and electronic equipment as waste, to dispose these items only in  landfills permitted to receive such wastes. The Federal Supply Service has developed a Multiple Award Schedule 899, Environmental Services to support various forms of recycling of electronic equipment.

4. What must I do as a result of this bulletin?  Each Federal agency must develop procedures for handling computers and other electronic equipment. To the maximum extent possible, agencies must ensure that such property is handled in an environmentally safe manner including items being disposed of through sales, scrap, and abandonment and destruction.

Property containing hazardous materials that cannot be utilized or donated should be disposed of through recyclers that meet Federal and state requirements to conduct business as a recycler to minimize the impact on the environment. Due diligence must be exercised in identifying and contracting with such recyclers. At a minimum, a waste management contractor should provide closed loop documentation through the final disposition of the equipment, comply with all environmental laws and regulations, and provide proof of insurance or legal indemnification against liability for improper disposal of electronic equipment. A site inspection of the proposed waste management contractor’s facility would also be advisable.

Agencies should retain files documenting waste management disposal for a minimum of six years. The sale, donation, and utilization of electronic equipment containing hazardous or toxic materials must be done in accordance with Federal Property Management Regulations Part 101-42.

5. Who should I call for further information? Robert Holcombe, Director, Personal Property Management Policy Division (MTP), Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration, Washington, DC 20405; telephone, (202) 501-3828.  

         /S/

JOHN G. SINDELAR
Acting Associate Administrator
Office of Governmentwide Policy