National Recycling Coalition Urges Recycling and Reuse of Electronics in Wake of Hurricanes

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National Recycling Coalition Urges Recycling and Reuse of Electronics in Wake of Hurricanes

NRC Disagrees with Advice Provided by SWANA and NSWMA

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Oct. 19 -/E-Wire/-- The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) supports state efforts across the U.S. to maximize recycling and reuse of used electronics to ensure that these products do not pollute our environment and instead conserve resources and create jobs. Therefore, NRC disagrees with advice provided by the Solid Waste Management Association of North America (SWANA) and the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) stating that these materials can be safely disposed of in community solid waste landfills. In its report on disaster debris management after Hurricane Katrina, SWANA offers recommendations that, if followed, NRC believes will compound the already significant environmental disaster in the Gulf.

SWANA states: "Computers, TV's, monitors, and other electronic devices pose no real hazard to landfills. Most e-waste can be easily handled within conventional waste collection and disposal methods." This advice fails to convey that numerous states have singled out electronic products as a direct threat to the environment when disposed, and as a result, have enacted strict laws and regulations banning their disposal and landfilling.

For example, the Maine Office of Environmental Protection has stated that electronic wastes, such as televisions, computers and computer components, contain a number of toxic materials that can be released upon disposal, posing a threat to human health and the environment. The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance calculated that CRTs from computer monitors and televisions are the single largest source of lead in Minnesota's municipal waste, containing 5-8 pounds of lead per unit. Research by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control's Hazardous Materials Laboratory found that laptops and LCD monitors exceed California's hazardous waste thresholds.

"Electronic products contain hazardous materials, including lead and mercury. Given that several states banned the disposal of CRTs and other electronics products, NRC believes it is irresponsible to negate the risk posed by disposing of electronic scrap," says Kate Krebs, NRC executive director. NRC supports recycling and reusing as many of the electronic products damaged by the recent hurricanes as possible. If products can't be safely recycled or reused, NRC believes disposal in a state-permitted hazardous waste disposal facility is the only responsible option. "Recycling electronic products captures valuable materials, fuels economic activity, and diverts hazardous materials from disposal," says Krebs.

NRC has formed a technical assistance team of members with expertise in disaster clean-up who are advising Gulf Coast officials in ways to safely manage and recycle materials.

National Recycling Coalition

Kate Krebs, Executive Director

National Recycling Coalition

Office: [REDACTED-PHONE], ext. 23

Mobile: [REDACTED-PHONE]

[REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.nrc-recycle.org

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