Federal Agencies Promote Benefits of Electronics Recycling

Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) have been undertaking a tour to highlight the agencies’ recently released National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship, program, which commits the federal government to promoting the recycling of electronics and advancing a domestic market for electronics recycling that will protect public health, prevent pollution and create jobs.

As part of its promotional tour, the agencies recently toured e-Green Management, located in Islip Terrace, N.Y., to highlight the environmental, public health and economic benefits of recycling electronics.

In a release following its most recent tour, Judith Enck, EPA’s regional administrator, says, “The growing electronics recycling industry has the potential to create new economic and environmental opportunities. Our work with businesses like e-Green Management means that more of our nation’s electronics will be handled responsibly, and more jobs will be created. I commend e-Green Management for their work.”

"The federal government is the nation's largest consumer of electronics, and GSA can and will ensure that it becomes the most responsible user of these items," says GSA Regional Administrator Denise Pease. "Our efforts in this region alone already keep 1,300 tons or 49 percent of office and building waste out of landfills. Through GSA's programs for reuse, recycling and proper disposal of e-waste, the federal government can lead by example and, at the same time; help promote job growth in this emerging industry. Supporting small businesses who continue to generate jobs and strengthen our economy is a priority of President Barack Obama."

According to the National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship includes four overarching goals:

• Build incentives for the design of greener electronics;
• Increase the safe management and handling of used electronics;
• Reduce harm from U.S. exports of electronic scrap and improve the safe handling of used electronics in developing countries; and
• Ensure that the federal government expands recycling of equipment purchased by the federal government.

Under the strategy, GSA will ensure that all electronics used by the federal government are reused or recycled properly. In addition, EPA and GSA will promote development of new environmental performance standards for categories of electronic products not covered by current standards. Several federal agencies will work together to identify methods to move federal agencies toward reuse and recycling.

In support of a comprehensive approach to effective recycling of electronic scrap, the two agencies note the importance of creating a strategy that includes the use of certified recyclers and increase the safe and effective management and handling of used electronics. At the present time there are two existing domestic third-party certification recycling entities—R2 and E-Steward.

More information is available at www.gsa.gov/portal/content/234565 or at www.epa.gov/electronicsstrategy.