E-waste Recycling Attracts Senate Attention
Sen. Amy Klobucher Offers Legislation for Electronic Waste
Oct 1, 2009
Hannah Montana toys may be listed among the top ten Christmas gifts for 2009, but you can be certain that the remaining nine selections will most likely be an electronic toy or gadget. Wii, iPhones, universal remotes, digital cameras, laptops, blackberries, cell phones – all rank at the top of most Christmas lists. Not to mention the new high definition televisions replacing the old analogs in our homes.
The looming question is -- what happens to all of these electronic machines when they’re replaced, beyond repair or outdated? That’s a concern being addressed by U.S. Senator Amy Klobucher D-Minn. She recently introduced proposed federal legislation dubbed the Electronic Device Recycling and Research and Development Act.
The bill is a first step in uniting manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and research institutes, inviting them to work together to solve the problem of e-waste. Best Buy already supports her proposal. She unveiled her bill at their Richfield, Minn. store. In her presentation Klobucher repeatedly threw out the number: 3 billion. That’s how many electronic devices Americans currently own.
The Problem with E-waste
Electronic or e-waste is the fastest growing solid waste problem. Several individual companies have been working to improve their green house gas emissions (GHG). Dell, for example, recycled more than 275 million pounds of electronic equipment in 2008. The company has a goal to reduce global GHG emissions by 15 percent per dollar of revenue from 2007 to 2012.Within its factories Dell has improved its recycle rate to 95.4 percent.
Yet, twenty states uphold different laws for e-waste disposal, causing confusion and roadblocks. A recent suit involving AT&T, filed against New York City’s e-waste recycling program, demonstrates the divergent attitudes coming to light among electronic device retailers. The point of contention in the legal challenge filed by Consumer Electronics Association and the Information Technology Industry Council involves NYC’s mandate that manufacturers provide free door-to-door electronics collection to city residents.
Klobucher believes her legislation will smooth the way for more efficient and universal e-waste disposal, setting the right kind of industry standards.
If passed, the bill would:
- Create competitive-awarded grants for universities, government labs, and private industry to research and develop demonstration projects for recycling, reuse, refurbishment and life-cycle analysis
- Call for a study by the National Academy of Science to look at barriers and opportunities to increase electronic device recycling and reduce the use of hazardous materials in electronic products; and
- Direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants available for curriculum development for engineering students and professionals in electronics manufacturing, design, refurbishing and recycling industries.
What Can We Do About E-waste?
In the meantime consumers have several options of disposing of unwanted electronic gadgets.
- Many of the retail outlets and manufacturers will accept items for recycling, just ask.
- Donate working or repairable items to non-profit organizations, schools, etc. who will refurbish and redistribute to disadvantaged groups and individuals.
- Check out local computer repair businesses, many accept donations or have designated programs they donate to.
Do not dump these items in the trash. The hazards they present in landfills will haunt us for generations.
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