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 programs
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.
