USA – computer recycling plan in Congress

A draft bill that would instruct the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set up a national electronic waste recycling program was introduced into the House of Representatives last week – with the possibility of a recycling levy on PC makers.



Pinsent Masons reports that the National Computer Recycling Act, proposed by Democrat Representatives Mike Thompson and Louise Slaughter, would direct the EPA to develop a grant program to encourage municipalities, individuals and organisations to start e-waste recycling programmes. The Act would also require the EPA to conduct a comprehensive e-waste study, from which ongoing recommendations would be made.



Finally the Act would direct the EPA to assess a fee of up to $10 on new computers in order to fund the grant program and exempt manufactures and retailers that have existing recycling programmes from the fee.



"Over 3,000 tons of electronics are discarded everyday in our country," Rep Thompson said. "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."



"Electronic waste is growing exponentially as more Americans are upgrading their computer equipment every few years," added Rep Slaughter. "But 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." Representative Mike Thompson has tried to push through a recycling bill twice before. The new initiative comes just days before the Kyoto Protocol – a ground-breaking international agreement to limit the production of greenhouse gases – becomes effective. The US, the largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world, has steadfastly refused to cooperate with the plans.



The European Union ratified the Protocol in May 2002. It also has its own plans for dealing with e-waste, through two Directives requiring businesses to recycle their old IT and telecoms equipment. The Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and the Restricting Certain Hazardous Substances (ROHS) Directive in electrical goods came into effect in February 2003, to be implemented in all Member States by August 2004 – although all member states except Greece have missed that deadline.



The UK government is finalising its proposals for implementing the two Directives