The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers has set key steps to advance recycling efforts within the cable industry with the creation of a new working group within the SCTE Standards Program and formal efforts to develop Recommended Cable Electronic Equipment Recycling Practices for Cable Operators.
The Recycling Working Group, part of the SCTE Standards Program’s Sustainability Management Subcommittee (SMS), 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.
Peter Muscanelli, vice president of sales and marketing for Colt Recycling, will chair the working group. The first meeting of the working group will be conducted in conjunction with SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, which is set for Oct. 17-19 in Orlando.
“The elements and components of today’s network gear have value, even when the equipment has reached the end of its useful life,” Muscanelli said in a release. “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,” Derek DiGiacomo, senior director, information systems and energy management programs for SCTE, added in the release. “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, according to SCTE. 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.
The SCTE Standards Program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute. Complete information about the SCTE Standards Program—including how to become involved as an SCTE Standards Program member—is available at www.scte.org/standards.
For information on SCTE’s Smart Energy Management Initiative (SEMI) program or to contribute to the development of energy-related standards as a member of SCTE’s SMS, go to www.scte.org/semi or contact DiGiacomo at ddigiacomo@scte.org.
