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IN FOCUS GREEN BUSINESS E-cycling your waste Electronics recyclers build business on heels of Wisconsin law By Rich Redman S been diverted from landfills. That amounts to more than 6.8 pounds per person from July 2011 to June 2012, up from 6.2 pounds per person for the previous program year (July 2010 to June 2011). That puts Wisconsin near the top of the 25 states with similar programs. "We're so encouraged to see the impact this program is making," says ince the state's electronics recycling law took effect in 2010, more than 84 million pounds of household and school electronic waste have started with the recycling law on Jan. 1, 2010. Since Sept 1, 2010, a provision of the e-cycling law banned electronics items such as computers, printers, televisions, VCRs and DVD players from the trash, landfills and incinerators in Wisconsin. At the same time, the state created a registry of electronics collection sites to help consumers know where to dispose of their no-longer-needed electronics. One of these is IronHorse Recycling The E-Cycle Wisconsin program " of Gillett. Owner Troy Krueger started the business about 10 years ago to recycle metal and automobiles. He added electronics about five years ago. "I saw a need, "When I drove down rural roads in our area, I saw TVs in ditches, and said, 'Somebody's got to do something about this.'" " says Krueger. 44 | INSIGHT • November 2012 E-Cycle Wisconsin coordinator Sarah Murray. "It's a win-win, creating jobs in Wisconsin and providing an outlet for consumer recycling. A STEP Industries worker recycles electronic equipment. The industry has expanded since the state's electronics recycling law was enacted in 2010. More than 84 million pounds of household and school electronic waste has been saved from landfills. on the electronics," adds Krueger. "We just provide the service, and we're the only state-registered facility for miles around. electronics recycling business has increased about 60 percent since the 2010 law went into effect. Norsec Computer Recyclers LLC " He notes that his residential "We really don't make much money handled and transported," adds Kuehl. "They really did their homework." He praises the information connection it provides with other organizations: "It helps us network with businesses – other collectors and recyclers. of Green Bay has a similar story, according to owner Lee Kuehl, who launched his business in 2006. "A friend in the auto salvage business had problems finding a source to take care of his e-waste, so I decided to do that, says Kuehl. He signed up for the E-Cycle " Wisconsin program as it prepared to launch in 2010. "The DNR provided great guidelines on how waste should be changes, according to Kuehl. Norsec has tripled in both physical size and the amount of material processed since its founding. Lamp Recyclers, Inc., based in Recycling is an industry of constant " Green Bay, got its start in 1993 when parent company Werner Electric saw a need to be more environmentally friendly with light bulbs and lighting fixtures. Lamp Recyclers now collects bulbs across the Midwest, particularly from hospitals, manufacturing facilities and school districts. It crushes them www.insightonbusiness .com COURTESY STEP INDUSTRIES