The Committee on Science and Technology of the U.S. House of Representatives held a hearing last month to a review a discussion draft of the Electronic Waste Research Development Act of 2009. Committee members heard testimony regarding how research and development could address the immense challenges involved in managing the environmentally safe disposal of electronic waste throughout the nation. Safe disposal of televisions, computers, cell phones, etc. is an area in which the U.S. has lagged behind the European Community, where WEEE prohibits the dumping of used products in landfills—although several individual states do have legislation in force.Such practices in the United States face considerable challenges. In addition to differing legislation in force in several states that forces manufacturers to scramble to comply with various provisions, there remain substantial difficulties including the efficient disassembly of used products, the safe removal of hazardous substances, and recovering value from the materials retrieved. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN), chairman of the Committee, expressed the hope that comprehensive research could yield solutions to these dilemmas—beginning with “greener” product designs that would facilitate recycling or reuse. There are numerous educational provisions in the proposed legislation. Grant programs would help create collaborations between academe and industry that would seek out greener designs, the creation of alternatives to hazardous substances, the development of scientific tools to assess the impact of e-waste on the environment, and the search for a societal paradigm that would encourage citizen recognition and participation in the recycle/reuse process.For more information and a link to witness testimony, go the Committee website.
Congressional Committee Hears Testimony on E-Waste Disposal in U.S.
