Waste associations call for the recycling all electronic waste

This week, several of the largest U.S. solid waste management and recycling associations joined together to call for the reuse or recycling of all electronic waste or “e-scrap.” In a joint statement, the Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA), the National Recycling Coalition (NRC), the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) said, "Reuse and recycling are far and away the preferred methods of e-scrap management—and with sufficient infrastructure, nearly all discarded electronic products could be technically and economically recyclable." They went on to say that an integrated framework of federal regulations complemented by more customized state regulations would help achieve this goal.

According to a joint press release, the coalition is supporting, as a starting point, the adoption of financial incentives such as tax credits to consumers, manufacturers, retailers and recyclers for recycling old or unwanted computers, monitors and other electronic scrap waste, such as the initiatives proposed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). The goal, according to the coalition, is nearly 100 percent recycling of U.S. e-scrap within 10 years.