Electronics Recycler Requirements for Compliance
with Connecticut's Electronics Recycling Law

Ewaste in Recycling Basket Notice of 60-day Recycler Open Application Period

This notice pertains to: 1) prospective electronics recyclers interested in submitting a new application to become a Connecticut-approved Covered Electronic Recycler (CER); and 2) existing CERs interested in submitting a renewal application to renew their existing approval. New applications & renewals must be submitted to DEEP during the period of January 18, 2024 through March 18, 2024.

Certain manufacturers of electronics are required to register with CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and pay certain fees.  Approved Covered Electronic Recyclers (CERs) will be authorized by the DEEP to receive reimbursement from those manufacturers for the transportation and recycling of Covered Electronic Devices (CEDs) that are collected through regional and municipal collection programs.  Recyclers (both existing and new CERs) must apply to the DEEP annually to become authorized to bill manufacturers. The DEEP held an informational workshop for any person/business with an interest in becoming a CER on June 16, 2010. View the Covered Electronics Recycler's Workshop presentation for a summary of information presented at the workshop.

What is a CER?

A CER, or covered electronic recycler, is an electronics recycler that has been approved by the State of Connecticut to participate in the statewide electronics recycling program. Selected CERs have demonstrated an ability to follow the requirements of the program and meet the standards for recycling as outlined in the DEEP e-waste regulations. Once approved, a CER may bill manufacturers of covered electronic devices for eligible costs of transporting and recycling computers, printers, monitors and televisions. CERs may bill manufacturers only at a rate approved by the DEEP.

How to Become a CER

DEEP has an open application period each year. The next application period has yet to be determined. DEEP will post an announcement 30 days before the application period is set to begin. Interested recyclers (both existing and prospective CERs) will then have 60 days to submit their application. CER applicants should become familiar with the regulations, specifically standards for recyclers and the application materials.  Instructions and the application form can be found in the table below.

Covered Electronics Recycler Application Forms

Applicants should be aware that the commissioner has prescribed new application forms to apply to become a CER or renew an existing CER approval. The Department will only accept new applications or renewal applications using the newly prescribed application forms found in the table below. Previously issued application forms will not be considered.

Recycler Informational Session Presentation

Instructions (Updated to include new certification for renewals)
PDF
Application Form (for becoming a new or renewing CER)
(Updated to include new certification for renewals)
Word, PDF
Attachment A:  Applicant Background Information  
Corporation
Word, PDF
Limited Liability Company 
Word, PDF
Limited Partnership 
Word, PDF
General Partnership 
Voluntary Association /Individual / Other
Word, PDF
Attachment B:  Description of Applicant's Qualifications and Relevant Experience 
Attachment C: Activities and Procedures for the Management of Consumer Electronic Devices
Attachment D:  Recycling and Disposal Facilities that Receive Materials of Concern
Attachment E:  Transporters and Facilities Incidental to Transportation
Modification Form (for modifying an Existing CER Approval) 

Information for Existing Covered Electronics Recyclers (CERs)

Only those companies approved by DEEP as CERs are eligible to receive reimbursement from manufacturers under the state residential e-waste recycling program. CERs will need to contact manufacturers to set up billing arrangements. The CER will need certain information to establish a proper invoice.

Billing Contact Information

All manufacturers of covered electronic devices are required to register with the department. The registration forms include contact information for setting up billing arrangements. CERs should consult the list of registered e-waste manufacturers to obtain this information.

Billing for Televisions

The e-waste regulations specify that certain information needs to be included on the invoice when billing television manufacturers. That information includes:

  • Total weight of televisions recycled and total weight diverted
  • Manufacturer’s market share
  • Cost per pound approved by the department (or other price agreed to by CER and manufacturer privately)
  • Total amount due

CERs are authorized to bill television manufacturers quarterly based on their market share determination. The amount due to a CER equals the total weight in pounds of televisions collected during the billing period multiplied times the manufacturer’s market share. That total is then multiplied times the approved recycling rate. 

A = W x MS x R

Where:
A = Amount due from the manufacturer in U.S. dollars;
W = Total weight of all TVs recycled (in pounds);
MS = Manufacturer’s market share expressed as a decimal; and
R = Approved recycling rate (in dollars per pound).

Billing for Computers, Printers, and Monitors
Regulations specify that certain information needs to be included on the invoice when billing manufacturers of computers, printers, and monitors. That information includes:
  • The number of units by brand for each brand attributable to a manufacturer
  • The total weight by brand
  • The total number of units and weight for orphan devices
  • Manufacturer’s orphan share
  • Fee approved by the commissioner
  • Total amount due

CERs are authorized to bill computer, printer and monitor manufacturers quarterly based on the weight of CEDs collected by a CER and registered to a manufacturer plus a share of devices not registered which are listed as orphan brands.  CERs need to prepare separate invoices for computers, monitors and printers. The amount due is equal to the total weight in pounds of branded devices registered to a manufacturer added to the manufacturer’s orphan share and multiplied times the approved recycling rate.  Orphan share allotment is determined by taking the total weight of all orphan devices and multiplying that number times the manufacturer’s orphan share determination. The total weight of branded devices is added to the manufacturer’s share of orphan devices and that total is multiplied times the approved recycling rate to determine the amount due.

A = [W + (O x S)] x R

Where:
A = Amount due from the manufacturer in U.S. dollars;
W = Total weight of manufacturers’ brands recycled (in pounds);
O = Total weight of all orphan devices (in pounds);
S = Manufacturer’s share of orphan devices expressed as a decimal; and
R = Approved recycling rate (in dollars per pound).

Diversion

Manufacturers may request that a CER set aside their branded items for processing at a facility of their choice. Manufacturers will need to contact the CER to arrange for diversion. The manufacturer is responsible for transportation from the initial CER to the facility where it will be processed. In the case of televisions, CERs will bill the manufacturer using the same process as for recycling except at the approved rate for diversion.  For all other CEDs (covered electronic devices), CERs will bill the same as for recycling except at the rate approved for diversion.  In the equations above, the approved recycling rate R will be replaced with the approved diversion rate D as shown below.

Televisions: A = W x MS x D

Where:
A = Amount due from the manufacturer in U.S. dollars;
W = Total weight of all TVs recycled (in pounds);
MS = Manufacturer’s market share expressed as a decimal; and
D = Approved diversion rate (in dollars per pound).

Other CEDs: A = [W + (O x S)] x D

Where:
A = Amount due from the manufacturer in U.S. dollars;
W = Total weight of manufacturers’ brands recycled (in pounds);
O = Total weight of all orphan devices (in pounds);
S = Manufacturer’s share of orphan devices expressed as a decimal; and
D = Approved diversion rate (in dollars per pound).

Orphan Brands

DEEP has posted a list of orphan brands on our website. CERs should consult the list periodically to determine if a brand is an orphan device. If a CER comes across a brand that is not listed as either a registered device or an orphan brand, please notify DEEP at 860-424-3023.

Questions?

If you have questions concerning application to become a CER, please call the DEEP Recycling Program at 860-424-3366 or send an email to the EWaste Program.

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Content Last Updated December 18, 2024