EXTON, PA – The cable industry is working on a new e-waste standard that recognizes not only the environmental advantages of recycling, but the economic benefits as well.
Peter Muscanelli, vice president of sales and marketing for Colt Recycling, will chair the working group whose first meeting will take place in conjunction with SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, which is set for Wednesday to Friday, Oct. 17-19 in Orlando.
The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) today announced the formation of the working group to advance the cable industry’s recycling efforts within the SCTE Standards Program by developing recommended cable electronic equipment recycling practices for cable operators.
The Recycling Working Group will be responsible for identifying and codifying recommended practices that are designed to ensure proper management of e-waste. The document is intended to address: recommended lifespans for equipment used in cable systems; optimal end-of-life processes for cable equipment; and recycling-based financial models. In addition, the working group will create recommendations for collection of data related to the industry’s recycling efforts.
“The elements and components of today’s network gear have value, even when the equipment has reached the end of its useful life,” said Muscanelli. “Our working group is committed to establishing the best possible procedures for the industry to recognize not only the environmental advantages of recycling, but the economic benefits as well.”
“As an industry, cable is committed to the highest levels of safety and sustainability in the disposal of replaced equipment,” said Derek DiGiacomo, senior director, information systems and energy management programs for SCTE. “By serving as the intersection point for cable and recycling expertise, the working group will speed the development of a comprehensive blueprint for ensuring environmentally responsible removal and retirement of equipment from our networks and our facilities.”
Recommended Cable Electronic Equipment Recycling Practices for Cable Operators is one of several best practices and standards documents in development for the industry. Earlier this summer, SCTE announced availability of the first two completed documents: SCTE 184, which established recommended practices for energy management, and SCTE 186, which defined common environmental and sustainability requirements for equipment within facilities.
