EPA Office Focuses on Electronic Scrap Recovery

Highlighting the efforts, Stephen Johnson, EPA’s regional administrator, toured a household hazardous waste collection site where all electronic waste from Jefferson Parish, LA, is readied to be recycled.  In the past several months, EPA has collected and shipped nearly 20,000 pieces of electronic equipment through this site. 

"EPA, the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will expand program to surrounding Parishes. As EPA assists with the recovery efforts in the Gulf states, we are helping to make sure yesterday's high-tech gadgets are not becoming tomorrow's contaminated garbage," said Johnson. "While recycling electronic waste takes more time and labor, this is about protecting human health and the environment." 

The eCycling efforts in Jefferson Parish complement the EPA's ongoing household hazardous waste collection and disposal work throughout hurricane affected Louisiana Parishes.  EPA has collected more than 650,000 drums and containers of hazardous materials and nearly 140,000 white goods in the state.  By collecting and properly disposing of the wastes, EPA is protecting the health of Gulf residents by preventing contamination of soil and groundwater.