Congressman Secures Funding for Electronics Recycling Project

West Virginia Congressman Alan B. Mollohan has obtained $3 million in new funding for the high-tech recycling initiative that West Virginia University and the Parkersburg area's Polymer Alliance Zone (PAZ) are jointly developing.

The goal of the project, known as MARCEE: Mid-Atlantic Recycling Center for End-of-Life Electronics, is to create an economical system to recycle plastics from end-of-life electronics.

The two organizations initiated MARCEE with funding Mollohan obtained in 1998. He has secured additional money for the project in the years since, enabling WVU and PAZ to partner on the research of new polymer separation technologies and the development of new uses for recycled plastics.

"MARCEE is one of the most challenging projects that anyone could ever attempt," says PAZ President Buddy Graham. "We appreciate Congressman Mollohan's continued support in funding it, and his personal interest in ensuring that the investments of time and money are being spent wisely and will produce the desired result."

John Weete, WVU vice president for research and economic development, says, "This is a project with great economic potential for the congressman's district and our entire state. We're glad to be a part of it, working closely with PAZ to help create a full-fledged electronics recycling industry."

A senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Mollohan put the new $3 million in the Energy Department's 2004 appropriations bill. President Bush signed the measure into law in December 2003.

The money will finance ongoing research in electronics recycling. It also will go toward the establishment of the Polymer Technology Park in Parkersburg and the Polymer Research Center at West Virginia University in Morgantown. The funds will also support the expansion of Internet-based information exchanges for electronics recycling, a project headed by PAZ and Fairmont high-tech firm D.N. American.

"The Polymer Alliance Zone and WVU are two excellent resources in our state. By harnessing their expertise in plastics and research, we can become a national leader in the recycling of electronics. This would result in new jobs and new investments here in West Virginia," Mollohan says.

Graham says, "When implemented, this project will be living proof that you can protect the environment and at the same time create quality jobs and investments."