The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act, proposed federal legislation aimed to curb the export of toxic electronic waste (e-waste), will restrict the export of outdated, unwanted consumer electronics to third-world countries for disposal. A secondary goal of the legislation is to create jobs in the recycling industry to handle the increase of e-waste in the U.S.
“The U.S. lacks a robust domestic e-waste recycling industry, and the quality jobs that come with it, because our laws promote unrestricted, unfair and unethical trade in toxic electronic scrap,” said Jim Taggart, CEO of ECS Refining.
In response to the federal bill, the Coalition for American Electronics Recycling has formed, with 29 U.S. companies involved in all aspects of the domestic electronics recycling and disposition industry. Among the organization are 74 recycling operations in 34 states. Additional consumer electronics companies such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, Apple, Samsung, and Best Buy support the legislation, as well as the environmental organization Electronics Takeback Coalition.
“We are advocates for environmental safety and are dedicated to educating businesses and consumers about the hazards of improperly disposing of old and unused electronics,” stated the 4th Bin co-founder Josh Kirsch, an organization that collects and processes e-waste in the New York City area. As a member of the Coalition we can work with like-minded businesses to raise awareness on e-cycling, lobby on e-waste policy, and support initiatives that create long-term job growth.”
The U.S. generated more than 3.1 million tons of e-waste in 2009, according to U.S. EPA statistics. Electronic scrap contains high concentrations of toxic materials such as lead and cadmium and is classified as hazardous by the U.S. EPA and many states. However, a large percentage of e-waste collected for recycling is actually exported to developing countries that lack environmental and worker safeguards, according to a release from the 4th Bin.
Co-sponsors of the House bill include Gene Green (D-TX), Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Steve LaTourette (R-OH). In the Senate, similar legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
Source: Hometechtell.com
By Enid Burns