ABOUT NCER

The National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2005 that is dedicated to the development and enhancement of a national infrastructure for the recycling of used electronics in the U.S. through 1) the coordination of initiatives targeting the recycling of used electronics in the United States, 2) participation in pilot projects to advance and encourage electronics recycling, and 3) the development of programs that reduce the burden of government through private management of electronics recycling systems.

While the NCER does not take positions on legislative proposals for electronics recycling systems, the NCER is ready to assist in the implementation of recycling programs across the country and believes that national and regional approaches offer the best way forward. When feasible, the following principles should be incorporated in any consideration of systems for managing used electronics:

• Any system should allow flexibility and encourage competition for the collection, transportation, and recycling of used electronics.
• To the greatest extent possible, local, state, and regional stakeholders should strive to develop systems that are integrated and function together in order to create efficiencies.
• All state or regional-based systems should avoid legal or regulatory requirements that would prevent the establishment of a national system in the future.
• In any system, opportunities for the private administration of the recycling system that may create more efficient systems should be explored.
• Any system should seek national and regional consistency for compliance and data collection.

NCER has never and still does not directly collect or recycle electronics, but assists others whose desire is to do this.

For more information on the NCER, please contact Jason Linnell, Executive Director, jlinnell@electronicsrecycling.org.

STAFF BIOS

Jason Linnell
Jason Linnell is Executive Director of the National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER). Jason leads all daily activities of the NCER, including research on electronics recycling data and policy as well as management of the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse (ERCC). Under Jason’s direction, the NCER manages and oversees the statewide networks of collectors and recyclers for the Oregon State Contractor Program and Vermont State Standard Plan, as well as administering the Manufacturer Clearinghouse programs in Illinois and South Carolina.  Prior to forming the NCER in 2005, Jason worked in the Environmental Affairs Department for the Electronic Industries Alliance where he led industry negotiations on electronics recycling policy efforts and helped developed the industry’s first comprehensive consumer education initiative on electronics recycling options. Jason represented industry at numerous state, national, and international conferences and policy discussions, including the National Electronic Product Stewardship Initiative (NEPSI).

Jason holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s degree from Georgetown University. Jason is married to Samara, a Family Nurse Practitioner, and has four sons and one daughter. Jason’s interests include playing racquetball, jazz, and enjoying the outdoors with his wife and children.

Heather Coty
Heather Coty is NCER’s Senior Manager. Heather’s primary duties at the NCER include managing data entry and data analysis for multiple online data repositories, and handling advertising, marketing, and web-related tasks for the organization. She is also one of the primary administrative contacts for the Oregon State Contractor Program and the Vermont Standard Plan. Historically, she has planned dozens of electronics collection events around the state of West Virginia and has helped guide businesses and local governments to properly execute their own e-cycling events.

Previous to NCER, Heather worked as the Circulation Director for Bird Watcher’s Digest and Marketing Manager/Graphic Designer for Woodcraft. She also sold real estate for eight years. Heather is a West Virginia native, and holds a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University’s Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism. 

Robert Ward
Robert Ward is NCER’s Data Analyst, which includes tracking information from statewide recycling programs across the country. A two-time graduate of Ohio University, he has worked as a database architect/administrator in a variety of fields, including industrial manufacturing, financial services, higher education and tourism. When not working, Robert enjoys writing autobiographical sketches, spending time with his family, reading, playing and recording music, and hiking.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wayne Rifer – President
Retired, Green Electronics Council and EPEAT

Wayne Rifer is EPEAT Director of Research for the Green Electronics Council. Mr. Rifer participated as a negotiator in the national negotiation to design a funding system to recycle discarded electronic products – the National Electronic Product Stewardship Initiative (NEPSI). He initiated and managed the stakeholder process to develop EPEAT – Electronics Product Environmental Assessment Tool – a procurement tool for environmentally preferable electronics (see www.epeat.net), and is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition.

Walter Alcorn – Vice President
Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Industry Sustainability
Consumer Technology Association

Walter Alcorn is vice president of environmental affairs and industry sustainability for the Consumer Technology Association, the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer electronics companies and owning and producing the continent’s largest annual trade show, the International CES®. Mr. Alcorn is responsible for legislative initiatives impacting electronic product recycling, design, eco-labeling and hazardous materials restrictions. He currently coordinates CTA’s eCycling Leadership Initiative.

Previously Mr. Alcorn was a nationally recognized environmental consultant specializing in electronics recycling systems, and with Jason Linnell co-founded the NCER in 2005.  Walter has authored and co-authored numerous studies and research products on e-waste issues.

Doug Ritchie – Treasurer
President, Star Plastics
Doug Ritchie is the founder of SDR Plastics, Inc, located in Ravenswood, WV, STAR Plastics, Inc. and SDR Technologies, LLC, EcoTech Polymers, Inc located at Millwood, WV. SDR Plastics and its companies produce compounded plastics which are sold into the electrical and electronic markets. The companies have always been involved in recycling post industrial and currently offers high quality post consumer content plastic compounds.

Mr. Ritchie is personally involved in a number of professional affiliations. An example of these being an officer of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Board member of Polymer Alliance Zone, Member of Society of Plastics Engineering (SPE) and Past Chairman of the Jackson County Community Foundation. His commitment to these affiliations represents his professional and community spirit.

He is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, West Virginia and obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Business Management and a Minor in Economics.

Jason Linnell – Secretary
Executive Director, NCER
Bio above.

Karen Pollard – At Large
Retired, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Karen Pollard spent her last 16 years at the Agency as a policy and technical support expert in the area of electronics reuse, refurbishment and recycling and other issues associated with used and end-of-life electronics.

As EPA’s electronics management expert, Karen served as a key representative on President Obama’s Interagency Task 2011 Force to develop the National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship and was instrumental in developing the first generation of electronics recycling standards. She also led the national outreach effort to increase cell phone recycling across the United States.

Prior to working in the field of electronics, Karen gained extensive experience in several different programs across EPA. She helped launch the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC); she was the headquarters lead for giving technical guidance on conducting multi-pathway risk assessments on emissions from hazardous waste incinerators; and she regulated new chemicals before they came on the market.

Prior to working for the EPA, she worked as a Horticulturist at the U.S. Botanic Gardens.

Sarah Murray – At Large

Sarah is the E-Cycle Wisconsin coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She has served in that role since Wisconsin’s electronics recycling law was implemented in 2010, and has been active in electronics recycling policy discussions through the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse, where she serves on the Executive Committee, and through other state program coordination efforts.

Callie Babbitt - At Large