Stephen Ursery, Editor, Waste Age Magazine

August 1, 2005

1 Min Read
ISRI on E-Waste

THE INSTITUTE OF SCRAP Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), Washington, has adopted an electronics recycling policy that calls for ending advanced recycling fees and manufacturers' financial responsibility for recycling as soon as possible. Instead, the policy calls for legislation that “promotes a market-based, sustainable recycling infrastructure and facilitates the recycling of electronics in an environmentally sound manner.”

According to ISRI, attempts to stimulate the recycling of e-waste through advanced recycling fees or making manufacturers financially responsible for the process interrupt the long-term development of a sustainable e-recycling infrastructure.

However, the policy statement acknowledges “in some very limited circumstances, the ability to wait for market forces to drive the recycling of certain materials, such as electronics, is limited, and hence financial drivers may be necessary to stimulate the recycling of these materials.” In those circumstances, ISRI says, holding the manufacturers of electronics financially responsible for the recycling of their products should be the first option, followed by the imposition of advanced recycling fees on consumers.

ISRI also advocates legislation that requires manufacturers to make products that can be safely recycled. ISRI's staff members will visit with state and federal legislators to introduce the policy. To view it, visit www.isri.org.

Maryland, California and Maine require consumers or manufacturers to pay fees to defray e-recycling costs. Meanwhile, several bills aimed at creating a national e-waste recycling system have been introduced in Congress.

About the Author(s)

Stephen Ursery

Editor, Waste Age Magazine, Waste360

Stephen Ursery is the editor of Waste Age magazine. During his time as editor, Waste Age has won more than 20 national and regional awards. He has worked for Penton Media since August 1999. Before joining Waste Age as the magazine's managing editor, he was an associate editor for American City & County and for National Real Estate Investor.

Prior to joining Penton, Stephen worked as a reporter for The Marietta Daily Journal and The Fulton County Daily Report, both of which are located in metro Atlanta.

Stephen earned a BA in History from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.

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