The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and General Services Administration (GSA) are studying new rules of engagement for contract recyclers in a bid to expand the country’s $5-billion electronics recycling industry.
The two agencies said they will decide in 2012 which third-party certifications would apply to electronic recyclers under the National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship. The decision would resolve the differences between green recyclers and traditional scrap haulers who disagree over certification standards.
The industry provides jobs to about 30,000 people. An expert estimates that the $5-billion annual revenues of the industry could double if consumers would follow federal agencies and businesses in mandating disposing their old computers through certified recyclers.
The recycling firms reclaim copper, silver, gold and aluminum from circuit boards and other components of disposed computers. By banning the export of electronic waste to developing nations and encouraging consumers to recycle more jobs would be generated.
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries however is pushing for a less restricting standard by considering business operations, revenue, profit and a company’s environmental record in acquiring a certification.
Both EPA and GSA plans are not in favor of an outright ban of electronic waste, which some environmental groups oppose because of poor management of electronics waste.
Source: Allheadline News