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The Federal Electronics Challenge

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Participating as an FEC Partner

Partner Resources

Electronics Management Practices

The Federal Electronics Challenge

What is the Challenge?

The Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) is a partnership program that encourages federal facilities and agencies to:

  • Purchase greener electronic products.
  • Reduce impacts of electronic products during use.
  • Manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way.

Federal agencies and facilities participate as "Partners" in the program. The FEC provides Agency and Facility Partners with resources and technical assistance for improving electronics management practices, and gives annual recognition to Facility Partners that have achieved specific goals.

The Federal Electronics Challenge is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Federal Environmental Executive. The Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group acts as an advisory board for the FEC.

Which products does the FEC target?

The FEC primarily targets common office electronic equipment such as desktop and laptop/portable computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals, televisions, printers, fax and copy machines, and mobile phones.

The FEC national program goals focus on computer desktops, laptops, and monitors. The FEC award activities should be implemented for at least desktops, laptops, and monitors, if the type of equipment is not specified in the award requirement.

Why focus on electronics?

The purchasing, use and disposition of electronics, such as computers, printers, and mobile phones, has significant environmental impacts. Electronic equipment may contain toxic constituents, consume significant energy during use, and present complex challenges when disposed of. These characteristics present opportunities and responsibilities in managing electronic products to reduce the environmental impacts associated with each phase of the electronics life cycle-acquisition and procurement, operation and maintenance, and end-of-life management.

Why should the Federal government get involved?

The federal government, which purchases approximately $66 billion* worth of information technology equipment and services annually, has the opportunity to provide leadership in the environmentally sound and cost effective management of electronic assets throughout their life-cycle. Purchasing or leasing new equipment provides the opportunity to obtain environmentally preferable electronics. Appropriate management of equipment during use can reduce energy use and extend the life of electronics. Disposition of electronics provides the opportunity for reuse or environmentally responsible recycling. The FEC assists federal agencies and facilities become leaders in electronics stewardship and face the challenges posed by electronics acquisition, use and disposal.

*Source: U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

What are the program goals of the FEC?

The national program goals of the FEC are as follows:

  • By 2010, 95% of eligible electronic equipment purchased or leased annually by FEC Partners is EPEAT-registered (PDF, 77 KB).
  • By 2010, 100% of eligible computers and monitors in operation at FEC Partner facilities have ENERGY STAR® features (PDF, 44 KB) enabled.
  • By 2010, electronic equipment in operation at FEC Partner facilities have an average life span of at least four years.
  • By 2010, 100% percent of non-reusable electronic equipment disposed of annually by FEC Partner facilities is recycled using environmentally sound management, as defined by EPA's Plug-In To eCycling guidance.

These FEC national program goals align with the federal government's electronic stewardship goals, as defined in Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management."

What are the FEC program accomplishments?

The FEC has developed summaries of annual program accomplishments which include qualitative assessments of program activities and quantitative summaries of program accomplishments:

Specific partner accomplishments are highlighted in a series of case studies.

What is Executive Order 13423?

Executive Order (E.O.) 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management," (PDF, 105 KB) was signed by President Bush on January 24, 2007. E.O. 13423 consolidates and strengthens five executive orders and two memorandums of understanding related to environmental, energy, and transportation performance and accountability. In particular, E.O. 13423 requires agencies to meet goals similar to the program goals of the FEC.

The Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Management and Budget have issued the Implementing Instructions for E.O. 13423 (PDF, 151 KB). The Implementing Instructions require that all federal agencies and their facilities participate in the FEC, or an equivalent program, as a method for ensuring achievement of the electronics stewardship goals of E.O. 13423.

What is the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Environmental Stewardship Scorecard?

On January 25, 2006, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) introduced the Executive Management Scorecards for Environment, Energy and Transportation. The Environmental Stewardship Scorecard covers five areas, including "sustainable environmental stewardship of Federal Electronic Assets." The Scorecard employs a stoplight scoring system to track the progress and status of Departments and major Agencies in implementing statutory and Executive Order requirements in each area.

What is the Electronics Stewardship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

On November 15, 2004, the Executive Office of the President, together with eleven federal departments and agencies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (PDF, 132 KB) to develop and promote common strategies for federal electronics stewardship.

The requirements of E.O. 13423 incorporated the goals and objectives of the Electronics Stewardship MOU. The Electronics Stewardship MOU is no longer in effect.

What is the Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group (FESWG)?

The Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group (FESWG) provides a forum for information exchange and coordinates interagency efforts to promote the electronics stewardship goals of E.O. 13423. The FESWG helps to develop policies, guidance, reporting metrics, and other documents and tools required by E.O. 13423. The FESWG also acts as an advisory board for the FEC. The FESWG, currently chaired by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, meets once a month.

How does the Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaign (ERRC) relate to FEC?

The goals of the Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaign (ERRC) are to demonstrate the federal government's commitment to electronics stewardship at end-of-life; to address problems associated with electronics recycling in the federal sector; and to recognize agency efforts to reuse and recycle excess or surplus electronics.

During the 2007-2008 ERRC, federal facilities are competing to see which facilities can reuse and recycle the most electronics between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The ERRC is open to any federal facility, regardless of whether they are an FEC Agency or Facility Partner. The ERRC is a "mini challenge" within the FEC, specifically to address electronics end-of-life issues.

What was the "pilot phase" of the FEC?

During 2003, five federal organizations joined together to develop and pilot test an incentive program to encourage federal departments and facilities to purchase greener electronic products, reduce impacts of electronic products during use, and manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way. In addition, these federal organizations sought to provide partners with the tools and resources they would need to successfully achieve these goals. These organizations: the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive; the Department of Defense; the Federal Network for Sustainability; the General Services Administration; and the Environmental Protection Agency, formed a steering committee to guide this effort - which became the FEC pilot phase.

The FEC Pilot Phase Steering Committee recruited partners from different agencies in different areas of the country to pilot test the FEC approach to better manage their electronics. Nine partners accepted the challenge. During the pilot phase, the FEC Pilot Phase Steering Committee also asked nonprofit, industry, and academic stakeholders involved in the manufacturing, purchasing, and recycling of electronics to assist in developing necessary tools and information for partners.

The pilot phase ended with the national rollout of the program on October 21, 2004 at a White House Summit. For more information about the pilot phase, please see the Pilot Phase Summary (PDF, 41 KB).

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Participating as an FEC Partner

Who can become an Agency or Facility Partner?

Any federal agency or facility can participate in the FEC as a partner:

  • Agency Partners may be any executive agency, as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, excluding the Government Accountability Office.
  • Facility Partners may be any subcomponent of a federal agency, including but not limited to bureaus, administrations, departments, offices, facilities, laboratories, divisions, field or regional offices.

The FEC provides guidance to help organizations determine their participation (PDF, 43 KB).

Although the ultimate goal of the Challenge is to integrate environmental considerations into all three phases of the electronics life cycle (procurement, use, and end-of-life management), the program is designed to accommodate agencies and facilities that opt to focus on only one or two phases.

The FEC is committed to helping federal Partners improve their electronics stewardship, regardless of their size, location or current electronics management practices.

Which federal agencies are Agency Partners or have participating Facility Partners?

In addition to the Executive Office of the President, the following federal agencies are Agency Partners:

  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Department of the Interior
  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Labor
  • Department of Transportation
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • General Services Administration
  • Social Security Administration
  • United States Postal Service

The following federal agencies are not Agency Partners, but have participating Facility Partners:

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

What are the benefits of becoming an Agency or Facility Partner?

Partners receive a variety of benefits as they participate in the FEC, including:

  • Resources for developing, implementing, and improving an electronics stewardship program.
  • Educational training and feedback through monthly partner calls and an annual conference.
  • Technical assistance through individual support.
  • Networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing.
  • Cost savings through resource efficiency, energy savings, and equipment maintenance practices.
  • Strategies to ensure data security through media sanitization.
  • National recognition from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive.

How do I become an Agency or Facility Partner?

Federal Agencies should contact Cate Berard (berard.cate@epa.gov, 202-564-8847) to register as an Agency Partner.

In order to become a Facility Partner, all you have to do is Register! Registration can be completed online.

What do I have to do as an Agency or Facility Partner?

Agency Partners progress through a series of simple steps to participate in the FEC.

  1. Register as an Agency Partner.
  2. Within eight weeks of registering, identify your Facility Partner List. This List specifies which subcomponents within your agency can be FEC Facility Partners.
  3. Design, implement and refine your electronics management program.

Facility Partners also progress through a series of simple steps to participate in the FEC. These steps are also available in a flowchart format (PDF, 293 KB).

  1. Register as a Facility Partner. Registration can be completed online!
  2. Identify your baseline by completing the Baseline Survey of Current Practices (PDF, 217 KB). Determining a baseline helps Facility Partners identify areas of improvement in their electronics management and serves as a reference point for gauging annual progress.
  3. Design, implement and refine your electronics management program. FEC provides a variety of resources to assist you.
  4. Report annual progress.
  5. Apply for one of three annual recognition levels: Gold, Silver or Bronze.

The FEC encourages continual improvement by asking Facility Partners to complete steps 3 and 4 each year. Applying for an annual award (step 5) is optional, but highly encouraged.

How does the FEC determine the progress of each Facility Partner?

After registering, each Facility Partner identifies their baseline by completing the Baseline Survey of Current Practices (217 KB). This baseline serves as an internal reference point for gauging annual progress.

Facility Partners report their progress to FEC each year. This reporting process evaluates the annual progress each Facility Partner makes in reaching the program goals of the FEC. The FEC uses the data from the submitted Annual Reporting Forms, and other sources, to develop an annual summary of program accomplishments (PDF, 66 KB). This summary includes qualitative assessment of program activities and a quantitative summary of program accomplishments.

Why did FEC eliminate the annual goal setting requirements?

The FEC previously required its Facility Partners to develop and submit annual goals each year. These goals were intended to help partners consider and set priorities for electronics stewardship each year. With the signing of Executive Order 13423, electronics stewardship goals were defined for the entire federal government, including FEC Facility Partners. The FEC, in consultation with the Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group, opted to eliminate the requirement for Facility Partners to set annual goals.

FEC Facility Partners that submitted their 2008 Goals Identification Form prior to April 1, 2008, may count this as an Optional Activity for a 2009 FEC Award application.

How do Agency and Facility Partners achieve annual recognition?

The annual recognition process for Agency Partners is currently under development.

Facility Partners may apply for and receive annual recognition at one of three levels - gold, silver or bronze. The application process is simple:

  1. Ensure eligibility. Before applying for an award, ensure that your facility has completed the requirements for the award level you are applying for. This includes ensuring that your facility submitted its Baseline Survey after joining the FEC.
  2. Submit the FY2008 Annual Reporting Form. FY2008 Annual Reporting Forms must be submitted to the FEC using the online interactive form in the Member Services section.
  3. Submit the Award Application. 2009 award applications must be submitted to the FEC using the online interactive form in the Member Services section. The Mandatory Activities Checklist and Optional Activities Checklist are available in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat form for internal use at your organization.

    Mandatory Activities Checklist (PDF, 89 KB) | Word (271 KB)
    Optional Activities Checklist (PDF, 70 KB) | Word (270 KB)

Award applications for the 2009 Federal Electronics Challenge Awards are due January 31, 2009 and should reference activities completed between January 1 and December 31, 2008. There will be no extensions to the award application due date.

In accordance with Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy, each award applicant will be subject to a compliance screen. This screen will utilize the Online Tracking Information System (OTIS), which is available to federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies. In general, facilities that have recent criminal (within the last five years) or certain civil (within the last three years) enforcement activity will be disqualified from award consideration.

What does FEC mean by "policy, directive, memorandum and/or guidance" in some award activities?

A number of award activities require Facility Partners to establish or modify existing "policy, directive, memorandum and/or guidance." This wording was intended to provide opportunities for differing levels of FEC partnership. While an office or department may be able to issue a policy or directive, a field office or laboratory may only be able to send out a memorandum or issue informal guidance. Facility Partners should consider their organizational level and any higher level policy or guidance when completing these activities.

If your organization relies on an existing policy, directive, memorandum or guidance, at either the facility or agency level, you must complete some activity during the 2008 calendar year to promote the existing policy, directive, memorandum or guidance among the employees at your organization. Examples of promotion include sending out a mass email message, conducting employee training, or publishing the information in a facility newsletter. Publishing this information on a Web site is not sufficient unless your employees have been specifically directed to visit that Web site during the 2008 calendar year.

If your organization is concerned about your ability to achieve these mandatory activities, please send an email to partner@electronicschallenge.net as soon as possible. There will be no extensions granted for award applications, so be sure you understand the requirements!

Will our activity count as mandatory/optional activity X?

If you are uncertain as to whether or not an activity your organization has completed or will complete can count for a particular mandatory or optional award activity, please send an email to partner@electronicschallenge.net as soon as possible. There will be no extensions granted for award applications, so be sure you understand the requirements!

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Partner Resources

What is Member Services?

The FEC has a secure online system for Facility Partners to submit baseline surveys, annual reports and annual award applications. Each FEC Agency and Facility Partner receives a username and password for the Member Services web page. The Member Services page also contains a limited amount of Partner-only content.

What is the listserve?

The FEC maintains a listserve for all Partners, which it uses to distribute the latest news on electronics management as well as information about upcoming FEC events and teleconferences. The listserve also facilitates information exchange between Partners, as the unmoderated format allows participants to pose and respond to questions.

What are partner calls?

The FEC hosts monthly teleconferences that offer an opportunity for all Partners to hear from experts, network, and learn from one another. Typically, participants download a presentation from the FEC web site before the call. During the call, a guest speaker delivers the presentation, and then attendees have an opportunity to comment and ask questions. Past presentations include:

  • Donating Electronics. Participants discovered the key to a successful donation program, addressing liability and other potential problems before they occur.
  • Green Purchasing. Procurement staff and others learned why and how to purchase environmentally preferable electronics.
  • Data Security. Attendees received advice on data security and destruction, and a list of questions to ask electronics recyclers about their data security practices.

The FEC also holds special teleconferences for new Facility Partners to provide guidance on completing the baseline survey, and advice for promoting the FEC program internally.

What is the Annual Federal Electronics Stewardship Conference?

In 2008, the annual Federal Electronics Stewardship Conference has been replaced by the Electronics Stewardship track of the Federal Environmental Symposium (East and West Coast). The FEC will NOT hold an annual Conference in February 2008. Instead, FEC is co-chairing the development of the Electronics Stewardship track of the Federal Environmental Symposia. This track will cover the same great content as our previous annual Conferences! By utilizing the Federal Environmental Symposiums, the FEC hopes to engage more federal participants, including those that may have limited travel budgets or time constraints.

Proceedings from past conferences are available:

What is an FEC Champion and how do I contact one?

FEC Champions are representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who are available to assist regional federal facilities with their electronics management programs. Champions are selected based on geographic representation, with one or more Champions representing each EPA Region. Champions help federal facilities to:

  • Become FEC Facility Partners.
  • Access resources for managing electronics, including FEC program information, fact sheets, and limited technical assistance.
  • Receive recognition for improving electronic management programs.

Champions are also available to speak about improving the electronics lifecycle, and the FEC, with interested federal agencies and Partners at their facilities, at meetings, or at conferences throughout the region.

Where can I find FEC presentation files (from a partner call, the annual conference or other forum)?

The presentation files for upcoming partner calls are available on the Partner Calls web page in Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat format. The presentation files for past conferences are available on the conference proceedings Web pages, in Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat format.

The FEC also maintains an archive of presentations, organized by topic. These presentations are available in Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat format.

How can I determine the environmental benefits of being an Agency or Facility Partner and improving electronics management?

The Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator (EEBC) was developed to assist organizations in estimating the environmental benefits of greening their purchase, use and disposal of electronics.

  • The EEBC is available to any organization interested in determining the benefits of their own electronics stewardship activities. It is a valuable tool for FEC Partners to calculate the environmental benefits of their FEC activities.
  • The EEBC estimates the environmental and economic benefits of purchasing Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-registered products and improving equipment operation and end-of-life management practices.
  • The current version of the EEBC evaluates electronics stewardship activities associated with desktop processors (CPUs), cathode ray tube (CRT) and liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors, and notebook computers. Additionally, the current version of the EEBC evaluates the benefits of reusing and recycling mobile telephones.

The EEBC may be downloaded as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet at the Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies Web site. Additional information and instructions for using the EEBC are also available on the Center's Web site.

Where can I find other information on the Internet about electronics management?

The FEC encourages responsible electronics life-cycle management and recognizes the importance of other web-based resources. The FEC provides a list of external hyperlinks which provides direct access to web sites that FEC believes may be of use to its Partners.

Where can I get news updates for the FEC?

The FEC maintains a list of news items that may be of interest to FEC Partners. The FEC also uses the listserve to distribute the latest news on electronics management as well as information about upcoming FEC events and teleconferences.

The FEC posts information and hyperlinks related to upcoming and past events that may be of interest to FEC Partners.

What is mentoring?

"Mentoring" is providing direct support to a federal facility or agency to assist them in implementing more sustainable electronics management strategies, and is a required activity for Gold Level Award applicants. Mentoring can be provided to any federal facility, including those within your own agency. Also, it is not necessary for mentees to be FEC Partners. The level and depth of support are determined jointly by the mentor and mentee.

Examples of mentoring activities include: meeting with individual facility representatives to answer questions related to the electronics lifecycle or FEC participation; providing support in completing FEC documentation, such as the baseline survey or annual reporting form; or working with an individual facility to implement FEC goals, such as developing acquisition language, authoring a power management policy, or selecting an electronics recycler. FEC Champions that provide assistance or support to a federal agency or facility may also count these activities as mentoring activities.

Alternatively, a Facility Partner may fulfill one of its two facility mentoring obligations by developing a new tool or white paper on a specific, relevant topic and making it available to FEC Partners and other federal facilities. Distribution may be accomplished through a variety of means, including presenting it at conferences, trainings, and/or FEC monthly partner calls; distributing it via the FEC listserve; and/or posting it on the FEC or Partner's web sites.

The FEC also provides a more comprehensive Mentoring Fact Sheet (PDF, 64 KB).

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Electronics Management Practices

How does the FEC develop best management practices?

Working directly with federal procurement officials, property managers, and information technology staff, the FEC develops and revises resources for all Partners. These resources include case studies, information on incorporating green specifications into contract language, and options on finding an environmentally responsible outlet for surplus and excess computer equipment.

If you can not find a specific resource on the FEC web site and would like to request that the FEC develop it, please email partner@electronicschallenge.net.

What are the federal regulations and executive orders that pertain to federally-owned electronic equipment?

The FEC developed a list of federal regulations (PDF, 64 KB) and executive orders relevant to FEC Partners and electronics life-cycle management.

How does FEC relate to our Environmental Management System (EMS)?

The goal of an EMS is for an organization to achieve and demonstrate sound environmental performance by addressing the impact of their activities on the environment. The overall FEC program goal for all Partners is to reduce life-cycle environmental impacts of electronic products. An EMS provides the structure and framework to achieve that FEC goal. The FEC and associated resources and guidance help federal facilities achieve environmental improvements from better management of electronic equipment throughout its life cycle at the facility.

The FEC provides a number of resources addressing the connections between the FEC and EMSs.

I have completed the Baseline Survey, now what?

Design, implement and refine your electronics management program and work towards achieving the E.O. 13423 electronics stewardship goals! Managing each phase of the electronics life-cycle in an environmentally preferable manner requires the proper resources. FEC provides personal technical assistance, as well as an extensive library of documents and tools.

As a Facility Partner, your facility may also work towards and apply for an annual award, and receive recognition from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive.

What is the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and how does it relate to the FEC?

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is an easy-to-use evaluation tool that allows the comparison and selection of electronic products based on environmental attributes, in addition to cost and performance considerations. EPEAT-registered products meet minimum performance standards in areas such as energy efficiency, toxicity reduction and material selection. EPEAT standards are currently available for computer desktops, monitors and notebook computers.

EPEAT is the required method of product environmental assessment for desktop computers, laptops and monitors for FEC Partners and federal agencies, and helps Facility Partners meet the acquisition and procurement requirements of Executive Order 13423 and the FEC annual recognition process.

An overview of EPEAT (PDF, 77 KB) is available for FEC Partners. More detailed information is available at the EPEAT web site.

How do I find/procure green electronics not registered by EPEAT?

EPEAT is currently limited to desktop computers, laptops and monitors. FEC provides the following resources to assist Partners in performing similar product environmental assessment for other electronics, such as printers and copiers:

What activities are included in electronics "operations and maintenance?"

Operation and maintenance activities encompass a variety of electronics issues, including: energy conservation and efficiency; printing and copying; and extending product life. Improving operation and maintenance of electronics serves many functions, including:

  • Reducing energy consumption;
  • Reducing resource use;
  • Keeping viable equipment out of the waste stream; and
  • Reducing demand for new electronic products.

What is ENERGY STAR® and how does it relate to the FEC?

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program devoted to helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR provides federal agencies and other partners a proven energy management strategy to save energy and money while demonstrating environmental leadership.

A summary of ENERGY STAR (PDF, 44 KB) is available for FEC Partners. More detailed information is available at the ENERGY STAR web site.

What are the General Services Administration (GSA) procedures for electronics end-of-life management?

In brief, GSA guidance and federal regulation require the following management procedures for electronics end-of-life management:

  1. Reuse internally
  2. Donate to Computers for Learning
  3. Report to GSA
  4. Transfer to other federal agencies through the utilization process
  5. Donate to States or non-profit organizations
  6. Sell
  7. Abandon/Destroy/Recycle

FEC and GSA have also developed an overview of the GSA process (PDF, 89 KB) for FEC Partners.

What can/should my facility do if we want our old electronics to be reused?

Federal regulations mandate that federal property, including electronics, be utilized to the fullest extent practicable when it is no longer needed by a federal agency. Federal agencies should attempt to reuse, refurbish or donate working electronics.

The FEC provides an overview of reuse options (PDF, 74 KB) for FEC Partners, including information about internal refurbishment; donating to the Computers for Learning programs; reusing equipment within the federal community; or utilizing DRMS (required for Defense agencies).

What can/should my facility do if we want our old electronics to be recycled?

Federal regulations mandate that federal property, including electronics, be utilized to the fullest extent practicable when it is no longer needed by a federal agency. Federal agencies should attempt to reuse, refurbish or donate working electronics prior to considering recycling.

If a federal agency has followed the GSA process (PDF, 89 KB) and has electronic equipment that is certified for abandonment, environmentally responsible recycling is the appropriate next step. The FEC provides an overview of recycling (PDF, 142 KB) options for FEC Partners, including information about using the Recycling of Electronics and Asset Disposition Services Contract; contracting with UNICOR; utilizing DRMS (required for Defense agencies); or selecting an environmentally responsible electronics recycler.

How do I ensure environmentally sound recycling?

Federal agencies are encouraged to use the Recycling of Electronics and Asset Disposition (READ) Services Contract or UNICOR to ensure environmentally sound recycling.

If your facility opts to use another electronics recycling service, the FEC provides resources to help you ensure that the electronics recycler you select is conducting business in an environmentally responsible manner:

How can I ensure data security of electronics storage devices we are disposing of?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends the following steps for ensuring data security:

  1. Identify your media and know your information
  2. Decide on a sanitization method
  3. Find supportive tools
  4. Validate your tools/policies/procedures
  5. Share your findings

More detailed information is available within NIST's presentation to FEC Partners: Guidelines for Media Sanitization (PDF, 321 KB). The complete NIST's Guidelines for Media Sanitization (See "SP 800-88") are also available online.

Do you have examples of how other Agency and Facility Partners participate in the FEC?

The FEC provides a series of case studies which briefly describe the activities of select Partners. The FEC has posted the 2006 award applications for six applicants, which provide significant insight into how select Partners are not only implementing the FEC at their facility, but achieving recognition for their ongoing work.

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