There has been lots of “trash talk” in Washington, D.C. during the second half of 2011, and it is welcomed by legislators and business leaders who want to stem the flow of potentially dangerous electronic waste (e-waste) to other countries — 3.1 million tons in 2009, according to the Environmental Protection Agency — and keep jobs on U.S. soil.
Today, many U.S recyclers export electronic waste to be bashed, burned, flushed with acids, and melted down in unsafe conditions in developing countries. The plastics in the imported electronics are typically burned outdoors, which can emit deadly dioxin or furans, which are breathed in by workers and nearby residents. Other issues include lead, mercury and arsenic contamination to local water supplies; as well as pollution to soil and air, for entire communities.
Proposed federal legislation to restrict export of toxic e-waste from America will spur expansion of the U.S. recycling industry and create tens of thousands of new jobs, leaders of the Coalition for American Electronics Recycling stated this week. The coalition comprises 29 U.S. companies involved in all aspects of domestic electronics recycling and disposition — with 74 recycling operations in 34 states.
Among the organizations that have come on-board recently is 4th Bin, the only electronic waste collection and recycling company in New York City that provides door-to-door pickup services for all types of electronics, from computers to televisions. “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 John Kirsch. “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.”
Fellow coalition member, CEO Jim Taggart of Santa Clara, California-based ECS Refining (News - Alert), commented, “The United States 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… E-waste exports not only poison the environment and people in developing countries across Asia and Africa; they limit the ability of responsible recyclers to expand our businesses and build our workforce in the United States.”
The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (H. R. 2284), introduced on June 22, would restrict toxic e-waste exports to developing countries that lack adequate safeguards for the environment and workers. The House bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Gene Green (D-TX), Mike Thompson (D-CA (News - Alert)) and Steve LaTourette (R-OH). In the Senate, similar legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
The legislation promotes business expansion and job growth through free trade of tested, working electronics and parts; separated and properly labeled commodities recovered from electronics, such as copper, steel and aluminum; and manufacturer warranty returns for repair within the original supply chain.
In addition to the coalition, the legislation is supported by major electronics manufacturers and retailers, including Hewlett Packard, Dell (News 
- Alert), Apple, Samsung, and Best Buy; as well as the Electronics Takeback Coalition, an environmental organization.
While 25 states have e-waste recycling laws — California, Connecticut, New York New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas among them — there is little that the states can do in terms of regulating export of e-waste, because it would violate the Commerce Clause. US Congress has a pivotal role in addressing this problem.
“We need to stop exporting American jobs along with toxic e-waste,” said Robert Houghton, president of Hilliard, Ohio-based Redemtech, an IT asset recovery firm. “For each job in exporting electronics, we can create seven good-paying jobs in our domestic recycling industry. However, domestic recyclers are at a substantial financial disadvantage to overseas recyclers— with few restrictions on worker and environmental safety. By creating a level playing field, this legislation will unleash investment and job creation in our industry.”
The Coalition is actively working with both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which have jurisdiction over the bills, as well as other Congressional offices that would benefit from the job creation inherent in his legislation.
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
