Recently reported by Ars Technica, the lack of a national e waste policy within the USA may finally come to an end with the proposal of e-waste legislation now going through congress.
The bill is known as “The Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act,” or, “S.1397” and awaits consideration from US Senate. The bill outlines our rapidly growing problem of electronic production and e waste growth, along with the lack of public knowledge regarding the issue. The bill appears to focus on funding for research on the safest, most efficient way to recycle current e-waste and how to curb the future production of more.
Trade2save is ecstatic at the news of a potential national e waste policy. As one of the largest consumer/producer bases of electronic gadgets, the U.S is embarrassingly behind in e-waste management, lacking a national policy or the ratification of the “Basel Convention,” a regulatory measure to combat the exportation of hazardous waste (including e waste) to other countries. Most pertinent to trade2save’s goal and business, the bill states a goal to get electronic producers/consumers to”reconsider product design and assembly to facilitate and improve refurbishment, reuse, and recycling.”
While we here at trade2save of course are behind this 100%, the bill still has a long way to go before it’s actually passed. Furthermore, the bill only allocates money to researching e-waste problems and has yet to directly control companies’ and consumers’ e-waste practices. Hopefully with the passing of this bill, our government will open the door to more r&d on e-waste, increase public awareness, and begin creating actual legislation for consumer action. One way or another, the consumer can, regardless of any bill, demand more green products, recycle and resell old electronics, and buy pre-owned, so to all our readers, never forget your own power!
