Lawmakers Introduce National Electronics Recycling Bill

Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) have introduced the National Computer Recycling Act, a bill that would direct the EPA to develop and implement a national electronic scrap (e-scrap) recycling program.

“Over 3,000 tons of electronics are discarded everyday in our country,” Rep. Thompson says. “Obsolete computers are taking up space in closets, warehouses and landfills and each of these computers contains dangerous materials such as lead and chromium which pose a significant risk to human health and the environment.”

Rep. Slaughter says, “Electronic waste is growing exponentially as more Americans are upgrading their computer equipment every few years. But t with federal regulators slow to implement a comprehensive e-waste reduction program, Congressional action is necessary to curb the rising tide of this toxic waste.”

Maine and California have already enacted their own e-scrap laws. Without a national law, states are creating a patchwork of different laws from coast-to-coast making it difficult and expensive for manufactures and retailers to adhere to fifty different laws.

The National Computer Recycling Act would:

· Direct the EPA to develop a grant program to encourage municipalities, individuals and organizations to start e-waste recycling programs;

· Require a comprehensive e-waste study to be conducted by the EPA that would make ongoing recommendations for addressing the problem; and

· Direct the EPA to assess a fee of up to $10 on new computers to fund the grant program and exempt manufactures and retailers that have existing recycling programs from the fee.

The bill’s sponsors hope to hold meetings and roundtables with all parties that have a stake in the e-scrap debate. Rep. Thompson says, “We’ve done our best to draft a bill that considers the interests of all parties involved and we will continue to seek input as we move forward. However, the e-waste problem is growing worse each day and the time has come for Congress to act.”