Office of Governmentwide Policy

U.S. General Services Administration

Environmental Benefits of Reuse Part II

Environmental Benefits of Reuse Part II

Bob HolcombeProgram DirectorPersonal Property Management Policy (MTA) Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management

Bob HolcombeProgram DirectorPersonal Property Management Policy (MTA) Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset Management

2

eWaste

Wikipedia

An estimated 50 million tons of E-waste is produced each year. The USA discards 30 million

computers each year. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled, the rest of these electronics

go directly into landfills and incinerators.

What’s The Problem?

3

eWaste

Time Magazine website

4

eWaste

Time Magazine website

5

eWaste

What GSA is Doing

Globally•Participation in conversation on eWaste and electronic stewardship.

•Impact on consumers and producers.

Nationally•Leadership and participation in public policy forums.

•Regulations will reflect new policies and ideas.

Locally•Emphasis on “reuse is recycling”.

•Improved asset management structure and accountability system.•Personal sustainability challenge.

6

eWaste

7

eWaste

Possible Solution: Encourage the transfer of unusable electronics to “Certified” Recyclers

and Refurbishers

For example:

Responsible Recyclers (R2)

eStewards

Others?

8

What’s in your future?

Update on Interagency Task Force on

Electronic Stewardship

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana804/video/video_index.html

China

Health and Environment

China

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana804/video/video_index.html

Health Risks

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/ghana804/video/video_index.html

Ghana

Danger and a Challenge to Reuse

12

Federal Policy Hierarchy

Guidance, Standards, and Best Practices

Agency Policy

GSA Regulations and Policy

Federal Law (40 USC)

U.S. Constitution

Other Governmentwide Policy Agency-specific Authorities

13

GSA and the Federal Asset Management Environment

The Federal Government owns personal property assets valued over $1.3 Trillion.

Policies and Best Practices – GSA OGP.

Operations – GSA FAS.

14

Personal Property

Personal Property covers all property, except land and buildings (real property), Federal records, and large naval vessels.

Policies encourage use within the acquiring agency, other federal agencies and public bodies before being sold.

Some agencies have unique laws.

15

Special Disposal Considerations

Hazardous materials and waste – Policy in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House (CEQ and OFEE).

16

The “Normal” Disposal Process

In-Use

Sale

Donation SalesExcess

Reassigned within the

Agency

Disposal at any stage: Non-federal transfers; Abandoned/Destroyed; and Lost

Exchange/Sale – $546M

(2010)

Donated - $411M

(2010)

Transferred to other agencies

$552M (2010)

Acquisition

Selected Disposal Methods:

Sold - $1.43B

(2010 gross proceeds)

17

General Property Regulations

Topic Where it can be foundGeneral FMR 102-35 – Good place to startUtilization FMR 102-36Donation FMR 102-37Sale FMR 102-38 Exchange/sale FMR 102-39Special Handling FPMR 101-42 (FMR 102-40

Pending)Abandoned/forfeited FMR 102-41Foreign Gifts FMR 102-42 Supply/Procurement Subchapter E (FPMR) (FMR 102-

43 to 50 Pending)

18

General Property Bulletins

Topic Where it can be found

Annual Reports Bulletin B-27

Accountability of Property Bulletin B-26

Property Acquired w/Charge Card Bulletin B-25

Use of Voluntary Consensus Bulletin B-18

Standards

Stewardship of Property Bulletin B-17

Use of Photographs in Disposal Bulletin B-14

Use of Exchange/Sale Bulletin B-13

Disposal of Electronic Equipment Bulletin B-4

19

Guidance, Standards, and Best Practices

GSA Publishes Guidance in Several Areas

Bulletins

Management Review Guides

Flashes Voluntary Consensus Standards are Published by

ASTM and cover many property management areas. Best Practices can be obtained through

collaboration with GSA and other Federal Agencies and Benchmarking.

20

Other Policies

Stevenson-Wydler (15 USC 3710 et seq)Allows transfers of research equipment directly to

certain institutions.

Executive Order 12999 – Computers for Learning Allows transfers of computers and related

equipment to schools and educational institutions, as well as encourages agencies to assist schools in setting up their IT infrastructure.

21

Other Policies

Sales of Scrap under Public Law 110-161Allows retention of proceeds related to recycling programs

OMB Circulars and Executive Orders

For example;OMB Circular A-126 – Management and Use of

Government Aircraft

Executive Orders covering Green programs, Real Property Management, Internal Controls, and Grants.

22

Contact Information

Bob Holcomberobert.holcombe@gsa.gov(202) 501-3828(202) 501-1777 (main office)

www.gsa.gov/personalpropertypolicy