Elizabeth, NJ

Electronics recycling is an emerging industry that is at a critical point in its development, in terms of growth and challenges. As the production and use of electronics products continues to increase dramatically throughout both the business and public sectors, the challenges of disposal and recovery of materials are becoming significant. The commercial sector has been recycling electronics for more than 20 years and has been the driving force in creating and growing the electronics recycling industry. Up until recently, the major sources of electronics products for recycling have been manufacturers and large users. Although consumers also own vast quantities of electronics products, many have been disposed of in landfills or left unused in storage. The number of TVs and personal computers becoming obsolete or replaced has been increasing significantly and is creating a need for recycling consumer electronics.

The disposal of end-of-life electronics products has become a topic of interest and concern worldwide as municipalities face the potential of enormous volumes to handle in the future. In addition to aggravating the cost and availability of landfills, electronics products contain materials that should not be treated as common waste. Most, if not all of the materials are recyclable and have reuse value, such as metals and plastics. There are also relatively small quantities of some specific materials that may be potentially hazardous, particularly if they are not disposed of properly, such as lead, mercury and cadmium. Electronics recycling companies specialize in providing a service that assures the proper handling and disposal of these materials with the objective of optimizing recycling and reuse.

There are more than 500 companies in the USA that are considered to be electronics recyclers. That is, companies or organizations with operations in one or more of the segments of the electronics recycling industry. Most companies involved with electronics recycling are relatively small and new businesses. However, there are a number of major recyclers that collectively process a large portion of the industry volume. In addition to recycling companies, there are some manufacturers/OEMs and not-for-profit organizations with electronics recycling operations. The key economic drivers of the electronics recycling industry are the need for a predictable stream of high volume sources and the capital required for automated processes. The future growth and success of the industry will depend on developing an effective and efficient infrastructure for electronics recycling serving all sectors.

Electronics recycling is also growing outside the USA. In fact, Europe has established legislation requiring the take back and proper disposal of electrical and electronics equipment (i.e., the "WEEE Directives") and is building the infrastructure to support it. Manufacturers are implementing product take back and recycling operations in Japan. China has become a growing, but controversial destination for recycling scrap electronics. Since most of the major metal refiners of the world are outside the USA, a substantial amount of processed materials are exported.

To see what is included when referring to electronics equipment, click here for a definition of electronics equipment, prepared by the IAER.

Paul Stillwaggon, For All Your Real Estate Needs Contact New Jersey Estates Real Estate Group E-mail: njestates@gmail.com Web: http://www.newjerseyestates.net 908-561-5492 (Paul S) 908-310-1358 (Cell)

NJ Estates Real Estate Group Weichert Realtors 908-561-5492 55 Stirling Road, Watchung, N.J. 07069

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In New Mexico, solar panels on homes can take as little as seven years to pay for themselves in energy savings.

That's faster than Texas, were even in the best economic case, solar panels take at least a decade to pay for themselves. New Mexico's utility, PNM, offers several subsidies to bring down the cost of the installations for homeowners.

That pleases renewable energy advocates, who see solar panels as a way to cut pollution, long-term electricity costs, and the burden on power lines. Solar skeptics might say such a plan socializes the cost of gadgets for the wealthy.

PNM is grappling with this debate as the company attempts to limit the annual amount it subsidizes. I heard both sides of the argument on Monday at the company's San Juan Generating Station. I'm traveling in New Mexico this week on a trip organized by the Institutes for Journalism and Natural Resources.

PNM senior vice president of utility operations, Jim Ferland, said he must balance the push for renewable energy with the responsibility to keep costs as low as possible for customers.

New Mexico remains regulated, meaning the government tells PNM how much it may charge customers and how much profit it may make. That means, if regulators want more solar, customers pay for it.

So, PNM offers two incentives. First, it offers so-called net metering. That means, when a solar customer generates more power than he can use, PNM buys that power back at retail rates, rather than wholesale rates. Second, under state law, renewable generators like solar panels get renewable energy credits. PNM buys those credits from solar customers at a price that's about ten times higher than the market rate.

Ferland said these offers, along with state and federal subsidies, nearly make installing solar panels economic.

In Texas, our regulated power line utility, Oncor, offers some subsidies that have made solar panels more affordable. But the Oncor deal isn't as sweet at he PNM offer.

Still, Oncor promised not to add the cost of those subsidies to customer rates. North Texans might not install as many solar panels as New Mexicans, but ratepayers don't have to pay for it, either.

Elizabeth Souder/Reporter

Paul Stillwaggon, For All Your Real Estate Needs Contact New Jersey Estates Real Estate Group E-mail: njestates@gmail.com Web: http://www.newjerseyestates.net 908-561-5492 (Paul S) 908-310-1358 (Cell)

NJ Estates Real Estate Group Weichert Realtors 908-561-5492 55 Stirling Road, Watchung, N.J. 07069

Equal Housing Opportunity

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"New Jersey Appellate Division Confirms that the Consumer Fraud Act Does Not Apply to the Sale of Business."

Caselaw: New Jersey: The New Jersey Appellate Division recently evaluated a claim arising from allegations of fraud in connection with the sale of business and associated real estate.

Read about it:

http://www.saleofbusinesslawblog.com/2009/07/new-jersey-appellate-division-confirms-that-the-consumer-fraud-act-does-not-apply-to-the-sale-of-bus.html

Paul Stillwaggon, For All Your Real Estate Needs Contact New Jersey Estates Real Estate Group E-mail: njestates@gmail.com Web: http://www.newjerseyestates.net 908-561-5492 (Paul S) 908-310-1358 (Cell)

NJ Estates Real Estate Group Weichert Realtors 908-561-5492 55 Stirling Road, Watchung, N.J. 07069

Equal Housing Opportunity

Current Listings Info
Luxury New Homes
Custom Build A New Home
Land & Building Lots
New Jersey Estates
All New Jersey Homes
Real Estate Listings Blogs
Real Estate Info Blogs
Open Houses & Directions
Our Testimonial Letters
Going Green/ Complete Info