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- Updated: 08.05.2026
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Projector Recycling
An Environmental Responsibility
I. ABSTRACT
With the advent of new and emerging electronic
waste (e-waste) mandates, the time has come
for hardware manufacturers and commercial
end users of electronic equipment — like
data and video projectors — to get serious
about keeping the environment safe
and clean.
FORTUNATELY, many projector
manufacturers are already going
down this path, diligently working to
develop next-generation products
made from safer, more environmentally
- friendly materials that comply with
these increasingly stringent require-
ments. As for the multitude of products
reaching end-of-life, projector suppliers
have begun to offer various recycling
and trade-in programs designed to help
ensure outdated hardware is properly and
cost-effectively removed, replaced and reused.
5 . 4
M I L L I O N
P R O J E C T O R S
S O L D
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M I L L I O N
T O N S
O F
E - W A S T E !
This paper explores some of the e-waste challenges
manufacturers and businesses face, overviews the
various projector recycling and trade-in
programs available today, and lists the
advantages of selecting a projector line
that offers a built-in program designed to
help save the environment, save costs
and keep all parties in compliance.
II. CHALLENGES
According to Pacific Media Associates,
a whopping 5.4 million projectors
were sold between 2003 and
2006. Since hardware products like
projectors are being replaced an
average of every two to four years, the
numbers infer that many of those 5.4
million projectors are reaching end-of-
life now….or will soon.
But what happens to old projector hardware?
Unfortunately, only a small percentage of
outdated hardware is actually recycled. The rest goes
into landfills. In fact, the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) estimates that more than four million tons of “e-
waste” hits landfills each year. E-waste is loosely defined as “electronic
products nearing ‘end-of-life’”. This is a serious point of concern because many components of such
equipment are considered toxic, particularly those containing lead, mercury and cadmium. If not disposed
of properly, these substances can cause harm to the environment and to people.
MANUFACTURER CHALLENGE - RoHS Directive: To reduce the amount of toxins in landfills and
ensure proper disposal of electronics equipment, on July 1, 2006, the Restriction of Hazardous
Substances (RoHS) directive was introduced in Europe. Today, manufacturers throughout
Europe, Canada, Japan, China, Australia and certain US states, including California, Maine
and New York are responsible for self-declaring that products comply with RoHS
directives. Non-compliance may result in the banning of products, or a penalty such
as a fine and/or imprisonment, not to mention the potential loss of sales and even
damage to a brand or corporate image.
While the RoHS directive is forcing manufacturers to develop next-generation
products using safer materials for the future, it doesn’t take care of the millions
of tons of e-waste being placed in landfills now.
COMPANY CHALLENGE – Proper Disposal: Although Europe and many countries in
Asia have national laws that govern e-waste, currently the US does not. According to IDC’s
2005 Commercial PC Survey, 51 percent of respondents in US organizations say they don’t
have a recycling program in place. But congress is addressing several new bills that may
create tax incentives or credits to encourage companies to recycle through manufacturer-
developed programs. Many states and municipalities have already authorized e-waste laws,
some of which enforce steep fines and other penalties on companies that ignore recycling and
disposal requirements.
By: NEC Corporation of America,
Visual Systems Division
NEC110612
V. BENEFITS OF PROJECTOR
RECYCLING AND TRADE-IN
PROGRAMS
The benefits of projector recycling and
trade-in programs are evident and abundant.
The bottom line? Everyone wins!
For the Environment and Consumer: Recycling conserves
resources for future generations. At the same time, it reduces the need for new
landfills and incinerators, which are costly to operate and ultimately increase
consumer taxes. Recycling also prevents the emission of toxic gases and water
pollutants that subsequently impact health and wellness.
For the Business End User: Compliance with municipal or state mandates
eliminate potential fines and help keep companies in good standing, while
demonstrating corporate responsibility. Trade-in programs also offer a cost-effective
method for businesses to earn money by returning obsolete projection equipment
and applying those dollars to a newer technology.
For the Projector Manufacturer and Reseller: Recycling programs help ensure
manufacturers and resellers offer business customers a method in which to properly
dispose of obsolete products. The trade-in aspect allows both groups to promote
new technology and offer attractive discounts on next-generation products. Further,
compliance with RoHS directives enable projector suppliers to continue making and
selling environmentally-friendly products both nationally and globally, without
concerns about penalties or loss of sales.
VI. RESOURCES
While RoHS is still a very new directive, it will soon play a much larger role in the
development and manufacture of new projector products. Today, the UL provides a
certification program called the Restrictive Substance Compliance Solutions
program (UL-RSCS) to help organizations confidently declare RoHS compliance.
The program incorporates a balance of testing, education, and planning for
continued conformity. Details about this program can be found at www.ul.com/rscs.
It’s important to check the projector manufacturer’s website for details about specific
recycling and trade-in programs. Additionally, the EPA devotes a section of its site to
“e-Cycling”, which includes FAQs about
e-waste, market trends,
regulations/standards, along with a list of publications for valuable information on the
subject go to http://www.epa.gov/e-Cycling/index.htm.
Finally, businesses should ask the following before selecting a projector line:
• Do the products comply with the company’s state/municipality mandates
(can be tricky if business has locations in different states)?
• Are the products RoHS-compliant?
• Does the line have any additional eco-friendly benefits
(e.g., low brightness settings to extend lamp life)?
• Does the manufacturer offer a recycling program?
• Does the manufacturer offer a trade-in program?
VI. CONCLUSION
In the coming years, the projector industry can
expect e-waste mandates to play a larger role in
the manufacture and selection of certain
brands. As a result, environmentally friendly
projector programs will become a critical
part of the overall purchase decision
making process.
For more information, call 1.800.NEC.INFO or visit
www.necvisualsystems.com
NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
All specifications subject to change without notice.
NEC Corporation of America
Visual Systems Division
1250 Arlington Heights Rd., Suite 400
Itasca, IL 60143-1248
III. SOLUTION: PROJECTOR
RECYCLING AND TRADE-IN
PROGRAMS
The RoHS directive has prompted many
projector providers to offer formalized recycling
and trade-in programs to their business customers. At
the same time, e-waste laws are forcing companies to take the
matter of proper disposal more seriously and responsibly.
The good news is that recycling of hardware components is on the rise. According
toMarket Velocity, provider of turnkey solutions for hardware trade-in, recycling and
donation programs, approximately 150 million computers, monitors and projectors
were recycled in 2005 alone. Recycled materials such as plastic, glass, steel, gold,
lead, mercury and cadmium are used in the manufacture of new products.
On the back end, projector recycling programs typically involve contracting with a
licensed recycling facility, which evaluates and separates the components then
shreds the products. From there, the materials are again separated and then sent to
other mills for further processing.
On the front end, these programs vary widely in requirements, costs and effort.
Recycling Only. Some require companies to self-package old projectors and pay
for shipping. A few even charge a small fee to cover recycling costs. Others allow
for the arrangement of free pick-up of their branded product anytime, and with no
further purchases necessary. Companies simply enter information into the
manufacturer’s recycling website and print out a pre-paid shipping bill. The
manufacturer does the rest. In most cases, once the hardware is recycled, the end
user will receive an official certificate to prove that old equipment has been properly
recycled.
Recycling with Trade-In. Some manufacturers take their recycling program a step
further by offering a value for the return of pre-owned branded products, which can
then be applied to the cost of new projectors. Most often, the outdated hardware is
sent back by the company and, upon inspection of the old equipment and
confirmation that a new branded projector is purchased, a check is issued. Recycling
and shipping fees are usually included with these kinds of programs and an official
certificate of disposal is also provided for each unit.
IV. NEC’S RECYCLING AND TRADE-IN PROGRAMS COVER THE
BASES
NEC is in the unique position of providing its business customers with the one-two
combination of a recycling program AND a trade-in program. Together, the
programs allow the whole process of return, recycle and repurchase to happen
simultaneously and cost-effectively.
NEC’s Eco-Care Recycling Program ensures the proper
disposal of all manufacturers’ projectors up to 40 pounds. For a
small one-time fee plus shipping, businesses can either
package up old materials or have NEC
supply the necessary packing materials.
Once the hardware is recycled, official
disposal certificates are provided.
NEC’sPowerUp Trade-In Program
gives users of projectors nearing end-
of-life the opportunity to step up to the
latest technology. Users are offered a free
quote value for the return of BOTH pre-owned
branded products and/or competitive projectors, which can then
be applied to the cost of new projection equipment
(http://necsam.tradeups.com).
The biggest advantage of Eco-Care and PowerUp is that when
used together they offer a “one stop shop” method of properly
clearing out all obsolete projection equipment – regardless of
the make and model–in exchange for the newest technology.
CHECK IT OUT
FOR YOURSELF
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