EPA HAILS E-RECYCLING PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE

1
EPA HAILS E-RECYCLING PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITIES
TO IMPROVE
2
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
released a report showing progress in e-recycling
(electronic waste recycling) on Wednesday, June
17, 2015 in Washington D.C. Additionally, EPA
representatives identified opportunities for the
EPA to advance G7s recognition of circular
economy through efficient use throughout the
lifecycle of natural resources.
http//www.allgreenrecycling.com
3
The EPA released a report titled Advancing
Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Facts and
Figures that shows growing consumer recycling of
electronics in the U.S. Consumer electronics
recycling rose to over 40 percent in 2013,
compared to 30.6 percent in 2012. This was the
year that the EPA first launched their
electronics challenge designed to promote the
more responsible recycling of used electronic
items. SMM (tdhe EPAs electronics recycling
initiative introduced in 2013) is a systematic
approach to using and reusing materials more
productively over the entire lifecycle. This
allows the EPA to identify opportunities to
conserve resources, reduce costs, and reduce
environmental impacts. The EPA is providing
science and information to the public to promote
the management of sustainable materials. The EPA
is also creating challenges aimed at specific
sectors to achieve shared goals, and holding
discussions with key SMM stakeholders.
The Advancing Sustainable Materials Management
Facts and Figures Report
http//www.allgreenrecycling.com
4
The SMM and the G7 Natural Resources Commitment

• Through the SMM, the EPA seeks to use materials
  in the most productive and sustainable method
  throughout their lifecycle, while it minimizes
  the amount of materials involved and the
  associated environmental impacts. Earlier in June
  2015, the G7 Alliance made a commitment to
  ambitious action advancing efficient use
  throughout the lifecycle of natural resources.
• The Alliance on Resources Efficiency will also
  foster innovation on a voluntary basis with
  businesses and other stakeholders, including the
  public sector, civil society, academia and
  research institutions, and consumers.

http//www.allgreenrecycling.com
5
50 Million Tons of Electronic Waste Each Year
According to the Environmental Protection Agency,
electronic waste is one of the fastest growing
waste streams in Americas cities. Existing space
in landfills is quickly being used up. Between 20
and 50 million tons of electronic waste is
disposed of each year, including CRT and LCD
monitors, LCD televisions, plasma television,
portable DVD players with LCD screens, computers,
laptops, printers, cellphones, and other portable
electronics. While many of these items include
materials that could be reclaimed and reused,
instead it is left to degrade in landfills where
it will become a dangerous environmental
pollutant as toxic chemicals leak into the
ground, contaminating land and water with
substance harmful to plant, animal, and human
life.
http//www.allgreenrecycling.com
6
Recycling Progress and Challenges
The EPAs SMM Electronics Challenge promotes
responsible recycling of electronics through
retailers and equipment manufacturers. Challenge
participants agree that by the third year of
their Challenge participation, they will send
100 of used electronics to a certified recycler.
The certified recycler is a recognized
third-party organization, and the Challenge
participants agree to publicly report their
electronics recycling progress. This helps in
ensuring that e-recycling is performed diligently
and with the maximum benefit to the planet and
our industry.
http//www.allgreenrecycling.com
7
Questions? Comments?

• Website http//www.allgreenrecycling.com
• All Green Recycling
• info_at_allgreenrecycling.com
• [phone] 
•  
• Source
• http//www.allgreenrecycling.com/blog/epa-hails-e-
  recycling-progress-and-opportunities-to-improve/