E-waste Policy Is Complicated, Often Lax, Study Finds

In a report authored by a Univ

In a report authored by a Univ. of Arizona graduate student and an alumni it was found that State and Federal regulations, laws and recycling efforts of electronic waste are often confusing and uncoordinated. The report was not meant to "demonize" the use of electronics "but to encourage the appropriate oversight of e-waste while emphasizing reuse and recycling among consumers and manufacturers".

Even though e-waste in terms of amount of material and the potential hazard that it poses has seemed to "fly under the radar" of most news organizations and the public in general. "It seems like such a burgeoning field, but very little has been talked about" said one of the researchers. The researchers noted areas of greatest concern nationally included: the electronics recycling industry in the U.S. remains fairly unregulated, Government regulation has not kept pace with industry self-regulation, which could lead to lax recycling practice.

Self-regulation does not necessarily aid in international waste management efforts, which is contributing to the poisoning of certain populations and environments, all certification programs are currently voluntary, meaning that businesses recycling electronics need not be certified, no state law attempts to regulate exported e-waste, and that the federal government's attempt to reduce e-waste has been "remarkably limited.

The EPA reports that e-waste makes up almost 2% of all wast being sent to landfills and it is growing. It also notes that over 2 million tons of e-waste are disposed of each year but less than 25% is recycled and a large percentage that recycled waste is not done properly. This is a massive environmental and health problem and it is only going to get worse unless new and stricter safeguards are put into place. All States and the Federal Government need to require recycling of ALL e-waste and the recycling industry needs to be regulated that this is done properly. Also we need to make sure that any e-waste that is shipped to foreign countries is all recycled properly so that it does not become a health hazard to that countries population.

http://uanews.org/node/32631

by: Patrick Hayes

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