Title: S. 510: Electronic Waste Recycling Promotion and Consumer Protection Act
1S. 510 Electronic Waste Recycling Promotion and
Consumer Protection Act
- Final Briefing
- August 16, 2006
Faculty Advisor Dr. Steve Cohen
2Agenda
- What is Electronic Waste (eWaste)?
- Why is it a problem?
- What are the toxic components?
- Why is eWaste in Landfills Controversial?
- Why do we need national legislation and
what will it do? - How do we measure success?
- Why is this important?
Electronic Waste Recycling
3What is eWaste?
- As defined by the legislation, it is discarded .
. . - Televisions, Computer Monitors
- Central Processing Units (CPU)
- In the future, the definition may include . . .
- Cell Phones, PDAs, MP3 Players
- Video and DVD Players
http//epsc.wustl.edu/admin/whatsnew/photo_album/c
omp_trash.html
Electronic Waste Recycling
4Why is eWaste a Problem?
Increasing Human Health Risks
Rapid Technology Changes
Increased Consumer Electronic
Purchases
More eWaste
More Hazardous Materials
Landfilled
Electronic Waste Recycling
5Why is eWaste a Problem? (cont)
- In the US in 2005, 42 million computers were
discarded - 25 million in storage
- 4 million recycled
- 13 million landfilled
- 0.5 million incinerated
Electronic Waste Recycling
USEPA Electronics Waste Management in the US
6What Are The Toxic Components?
Electronic Waste Recycling
www.news.bbc.co.uk
7Why is eWaste in Landfills Controversial?
eWaste constitutes 40 of lead and 70 of heavy
metals in landfills
Daily Cover
Refuse Cell
Leachate Collection
Plastic Liner
Clay Barrier
Electronic Waste Recycling
www.metrokc.gov/dnr/kidsweb/landfill.htm
8Why is eWaste in Landfills Controversial? (cont)
- The uncertain science of landfills
- Inconsistent data regarding dose levels
exposure route - Rudimentary eWaste recycling could create more
environmental hazards than landfilling
Electronic Waste Recycling
9Proposed eWaste Solution
- Create incentives to recycle
- Large quantity generators 40,000/year in tax
credits - Individual tax payers receive one 15 credit/year
for recycling one or more units of eWaste - Re-evaluate program in three years
- It may become illegal to throw away eWaste if
adequate recycling infrastructure is available to
public - Potential issues
- Nothing in legislation mandates recyclingcenter
creation - Re-use incentives noticeably absent
Electronic Waste Recycling
10How Do We Measure Success?
- In Proposed Legislation
- No performance goals set, but re-evaluation in 3
years - If successful, reduction of eWaste tonnage into
waste stream and increased recycling is expected - May encourage manufacturerresponsibility
http//www.pc-recycling.com/
Electronic Waste Recycling
11Why Do We Need National Legislation?
- Current eWaste regulations create uneven
regulatory regime - Some states/localities have already enacted
legislation - Difficult for manufacturers to comply
state-to-state - Only large-quantity generators are regulated
- Majority of eWaste created by households
smaller quantity generators not currently
regulated
Electronic Waste Recycling
12Why is this Important?
- eWaste problem growingneeds immediate action
- New legislation will create recycling industry
uniformity - Recycling will become more accessible to
individuals - First step to more comprehensive legislation
Electronic Waste Recycling