"E-waste is a national issue that should have a national solution. The current de facto system for e-waste [management] is an evolving patchwork of state-by-state approaches...[which] imposes unnecessary burdens on technology companies and consumers alike," the CEA testimony reads.
According to the CEA testimony, idle electronics "should not be completely discarded" as they contain valuable resalable materials and "used, working computers can find use in thousands of schools, charities and public agencies" in underserved communities.
CEA also suggested federal policy initiatives that could aid in confronting the national e-waste challenge, such as:
· Making tax credits available to all stakeholders involved in the end-of-life infrastructure;
· Providing environmentally sensitive procurement guidelines that create a sales-based incentive for manufacturers to design eco-friendly display devices;
· Creating a third-party organization to collect and administer funds in states considering a point-of-sale advanced recovery fee; and
· Enacting measures that enable states to ensure a level, competitive playing field for in-state retailers with Internet sales and out-of-state retailers.
According to a press release from the CEA, the organization says that it has made a priority of finding a solution to the public policy challenge of electronic scrap and that it hopes to work with Congress and other interested parties “to reach a common-sense, national solution that makes recycling as convenient as possible for all Americans, recognizes the economic and marketplace reality facing consumer electronics manufacturers and protects innovation.”
CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels.