25-01-2013, 04:22 PM
ELECTRONIC WASTE
[attachment=48517]
What is E-Waste?
Several categories
Computers
Televisions
Audiovisual equipment
Cellular phones
How much of it is there?
Staggering amounts of junked equipment
ABC News: 315-600 million computers
Inform: 130 million cellular phones
USEPA says 163,420 TVs and computers will become obsolete every day in ‘06
And it will only get worse
Useful life of TV now only ten years
Just three years for computers
Analog TVs about to become obsolete
What’s in the stuff?
Mercury
Lead
Cadmium
Hexavalent chromium
Other hazardous materials
What’s being done around the world?
Europe: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive
Took effect in 2005
Participating countries develop own methods for compliance
Responsibility is shared
Manufacturers operate a take-back program
Retailers accept old equipment for pick-up
Consumers expected to bring old equipment to retail or other drop-off locations
0.01% and 0.1% by weight limits going into effect for lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and two flame retardants in
Japan: Similar legislation enacted.
What is the United States doing?
Nothing.
First federal hearing on e-waste occurred in ’05 at House Subcmte. on Environment and Hazardous Materials
Sens. Wyden (D-OR) and Talent (R-MO) prepared joint proposal for a tax credit for individuals recycling their old equipment
Consequences of Inaction
E-waste is now fastest growing component of landfills
Hazardous materials, if not encapsulated or disposed of in properly-maintained landfills, can leach into groundwater
Or our equipment ends up endangering people around the world…
More on Producer Responsibility
Maine and Maryland have adopted various models of PR
USEPA Region V draft legislation is PR-based; so are Washington’s and New Hampshire’s
Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and other computer manufacturers are supportive of legislation modeled on the PR concept
Retailers also are generally supportive
Television manufacturers oppose it
[attachment=48517]
What is E-Waste?
Several categories
Computers
Televisions
Audiovisual equipment
Cellular phones
How much of it is there?
Staggering amounts of junked equipment
ABC News: 315-600 million computers
Inform: 130 million cellular phones
USEPA says 163,420 TVs and computers will become obsolete every day in ‘06
And it will only get worse
Useful life of TV now only ten years
Just three years for computers
Analog TVs about to become obsolete
What’s in the stuff?
Mercury
Lead
Cadmium
Hexavalent chromium
Other hazardous materials
What’s being done around the world?
Europe: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive
Took effect in 2005
Participating countries develop own methods for compliance
Responsibility is shared
Manufacturers operate a take-back program
Retailers accept old equipment for pick-up
Consumers expected to bring old equipment to retail or other drop-off locations
0.01% and 0.1% by weight limits going into effect for lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and two flame retardants in
Japan: Similar legislation enacted.
What is the United States doing?
Nothing.
First federal hearing on e-waste occurred in ’05 at House Subcmte. on Environment and Hazardous Materials
Sens. Wyden (D-OR) and Talent (R-MO) prepared joint proposal for a tax credit for individuals recycling their old equipment
Consequences of Inaction
E-waste is now fastest growing component of landfills
Hazardous materials, if not encapsulated or disposed of in properly-maintained landfills, can leach into groundwater
Or our equipment ends up endangering people around the world…
More on Producer Responsibility
Maine and Maryland have adopted various models of PR
USEPA Region V draft legislation is PR-based; so are Washington’s and New Hampshire’s
Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and other computer manufacturers are supportive of legislation modeled on the PR concept
Retailers also are generally supportive
Television manufacturers oppose it