United States – The US Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has urged Congress to support environmentally responsible recycling worldwide and to reject attempts to restrict legitimate trade of used electronic products. The call follows the introduction of a responsible electronics recycling bill which would make it illegal to send toxic e-waste to developing nations.
ISRI fears the bill would ‘negatively influence recycling efforts by undermining existing policies and initiatives, such as those proposed by the Obama Administration and the Interagency Task Force on Federal Electronics Stewardship’. Also, it would ‘violate international trade laws by unilaterally and arbitrarily banning exports to certain countries’, according to ISRI.
‘The bill is fatally flawed,’ says ISRI president Robin Wiener. ‘This bill will do nothing to end irresponsible recycling, and further, will limit any opportunity to promote environmentally sound electronics recycling standards in other countries by perpetuating the outdated approach of identifying environmental risk based simply on geographic location rather than responsible operating practices.’
ISRI underlines the recycling industry’s support for efforts that contribute to responsible recycling globally and job creation within the USA. ‘The best way to accomplish this is through strict enforcement of current laws – domestic and international,’ it is insisted.
The new bill is supported by environmental groups as well as electronics manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Samsung, Apple and Best Buy – all of which already have policies that prohibit the export of e-waste to developing nations.
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