S. 510: Electronic Waste Recycling Promotion and Consumer Protection Act

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S. 510 Electronic Waste Recycling Promotion and
Consumer Protection Act

• Final Briefing
• August 16, 2006

Faculty Advisor Dr. Steve Cohen
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Agenda

• What is Electronic Waste (eWaste)?
• Why is it a problem?
• What are the toxic components?
• Why is eWaste in Landfills Controversial?
• Why do we need national legislation and
  what will it do?
• How do we measure success?
• Why is this important?

Electronic Waste Recycling
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What is eWaste?

• As defined by the legislation, it is discarded .
  . .
• Televisions, Computer Monitors
• Central Processing Units (CPU)
• In the future, the definition may include . . .
• Cell Phones, PDAs, MP3 Players
• Video and DVD Players

http//epsc.wustl.edu/admin/whatsnew/photo_album/c
omp_trash.html
Electronic Waste Recycling
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Why is eWaste a Problem?
Increasing Human Health Risks
Rapid Technology Changes
Increased Consumer Electronic
Purchases
More eWaste
More Hazardous Materials
Landfilled
Electronic Waste Recycling
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Why is eWaste a Problem? (cont)

• In the US in 2005, 42 million computers were
  discarded
• 25 million in storage
• 4 million recycled
• 13 million landfilled
• 0.5 million incinerated

Electronic Waste Recycling
USEPA Electronics Waste Management in the US
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What Are The Toxic Components?
Electronic Waste Recycling
www.news.bbc.co.uk
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Why is eWaste in Landfills Controversial?
eWaste constitutes 40 of lead and 70 of heavy
metals in landfills
Daily Cover
Refuse Cell
Leachate Collection
Plastic Liner
Clay Barrier
Electronic Waste Recycling
www.metrokc.gov/dnr/kidsweb/landfill.htm
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Why is eWaste in Landfills Controversial? (cont)

• The uncertain science of landfills
• Inconsistent data regarding dose levels
  exposure route
• Rudimentary eWaste recycling could create more
  environmental hazards than landfilling

Electronic Waste Recycling
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Proposed eWaste Solution

• Create incentives to recycle
• Large quantity generators 40,000/year in tax
  credits
• Individual tax payers receive one 15 credit/year
  for recycling one or more units of eWaste
• Re-evaluate program in three years
• It may become illegal to throw away eWaste if
  adequate recycling infrastructure is available to
  public
• Potential issues
• Nothing in legislation mandates recyclingcenter
  creation
• Re-use incentives noticeably absent

Electronic Waste Recycling
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How Do We Measure Success?

• In Proposed Legislation
• No performance goals set, but re-evaluation in 3
  years
• If successful, reduction of eWaste tonnage into
  waste stream and increased recycling is expected
• May encourage manufacturerresponsibility

http//www.pc-recycling.com/
Electronic Waste Recycling
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Why Do We Need National Legislation?

• Current eWaste regulations create uneven
  regulatory regime
• Some states/localities have already enacted
  legislation
• Difficult for manufacturers to comply
  state-to-state
• Only large-quantity generators are regulated
• Majority of eWaste created by households
  smaller quantity generators not currently
  regulated

Electronic Waste Recycling
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Why is this Important?

• eWaste problem growingneeds immediate action
• New legislation will create recycling industry
  uniformity
• Recycling will become more accessible to
  individuals
• First step to more comprehensive legislation

Electronic Waste Recycling