The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a new guide for electronics recycling operators.
"Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited
Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers" promotes better
environmental, worker safety, and public health practices for
electronics recyclers.
"There should be no doubt that choosing to reuse or recycle used
electronics is the right choice for our environment," said Susan Parker
Bodine, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response. "These voluntary guidelines will help assure
Americans that their used electronics will be recycled safely and
responsibly."
The R2 guide lists 13 principles to help electronics recyclers ensure
their material is handled safely and legally in the U.S. and foreign
countries. It calls on recyclers to establish a management system for
environmental and worker safety; develop a policy that promotes reuse
and material recovery over landfill or incineration; and use practices
that reduce exposures or emissions during recycling operations. The
principles also call for recyclers to use diligence to assure
appropriate management of materials throughout the recycling chain,
including materials that are exported to foreign countries.
Reusing and recycling used electronics helps the environment by saving
energy and conserving natural resources. When improperly managed,
however, used electronics can release materials that raise
environmental and health concerns.
The workgroup that developed the guidelines represent federal and state
governments, electronics manufacturers and recyclers, and trade
associations. The workgroup will now focus on establishing a
certification process, which will allow consumers easily to recognize
responsible recyclers in the marketplace.
Last week, MRM, a provider of electronic waste recycling management
services to manufacturers, announced it will begin creating a national recycling infrastructure that will initially be utilized by Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba in the United States.
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