Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Electronics Challenge
We are grateful for the dedication of our Electronics Challenge partners and their efforts to reduce and divert waste. EPA is planning to evolve our Sustainable Materials Management partnership programs to align with our new priorities. At this time, we are no longer accepting Electronics Challenge partners.
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About the SMM Electronics Challenge
On September 22, 2012, EPA launched the SMM Electronics Challenge. The Challenge encouraged electronics manufacturers, brand owners and retailers to strive to send 100 percent of the used electronics they collect from the public, businesses and within their own organizations to third-party certified electronics refurbishers and recyclers. The Challenge’s goals were to:
- Increase collection of electronic equipment for reuse and recycling using certified recyclers;
- Promote data transparency and accountability through public posting of electronic collection and recycling data; and
- Reduce environmental impacts across the lifecycle of electronic products.
Who was part of the SMM Electronics Challenge?
The SMM Electronics Challenge was open to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), brand owners and retailers. By joining, businesses:
- Demonstrated leadership by using third-party certified recyclers.
- Ensured responsible management of used electronics.
- Took advantage of EPA’s technical assistance and resources.
- Received recognition for achievements.
By striving to send 100 percent of used electronics collected to certified recyclers and refurbishers, Challenge participants ensured that the used electronics they collected would be responsibly managed by recyclers that maximize reuse and recycling, minimize exposure to human health and the environment, ensure the safe management of materials by downstream handlers, and require destruction of all data on used electronics.
Electronics Challenge participants were publicly recognized on EPA’s website as a registrant, new participant, or active participant. Awards were offered in two categories - tier and champion. Tier awards were given in recognition of achieving all the requirements under a gold, silver or bronze tier. Champion awards were given in three categories - Product, Program and, Cutting-Edge. For the purposes of the Champion awards, a product was an item that is manufactured, developed or refined for sale and is in the marketplace; a program was an internal or external plan, strategy or policy for an organization or a service, program or item that is intended for individual sale to a consumer. The Cutting-Edge award recognized participants for their new, game-changing ideas in electronics sustainability.