Recycling Computers and Electronic Equipment: Legislative and Regulatory Approaches for âE-Wasteâ (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised July 18, 2005 |
| Report Number |
RL31505 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
James E. McCarthy, Resources, Science and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Rapid growth in the use of computers and the incorporation of electronic features in a wide array
of
consumer products have been among the most important driving forces of the nation's economy in
recent years; but they also pose potential environmental problems. In addition to producing better
products, the improvements in technology have created growing volumes of obsolete products to be
managed as waste. According to the National Safety Council, which undertook the first major effort
to gather quantitative information on e-waste, 500 million personal computers will become obsolete
in the United States between 1997 and 2007. At an average weight of 60 pounds, obsolete PCs
weighing 15 million tons will become waste needing management in that period. EPA, using a
broader definition, estimates that 2.8 million tons of consumer electronics were generated as waste
in 2003.
Management of these products as waste is of concern in part because of their volume, but more
importantly because they contain large amounts of heavy metals and other toxic substances. A
computer monitor or television set, for example, generally contains 4-8 pounds of lead. Mercury,
cadmium, and other heavy metals are also commonly used in such equipment. In an incinerator or
landfill, these metals can be released to the environment, contaminating air, ash, and ground water.
As a result, many argue that electronic equipment should be managed separately from the municipal
waste stream, and recycled whenever possible.
The United States has done little to address this problem. Unless disposed in large quantities,
used computers and other electronic products are allowed to be managed as municipal solid waste
(i.e., the same as ordinary household trash) in most states. In some locations, used computers have
been collected for recycling on special voluntary collection days, but few jurisdictions offer frequent,
comprehensive recycling opportunities for electronic waste. The exceptions are three states in which
disposal of cathode ray tubes (i.e., television sets and computer monitors) has been banned --
essentially requiring their separate collection for recycling. Collection for recycling does not
guarantee environmentally responsible management, however; reports suggest that large volumes
of electronic waste separated for recycling have been shipped to China and other developing
countries, where primitive recycling methods threaten human health and the environment.
Numerous interested parties, including environmental groups, solid waste management
officials, electronics manufacturers, and retailers, have begun to develop alternative approaches on
a voluntary basis; in Japan, the European Union, California, Maine, and Maryland, regulations are
being implemented that will force manufacturers and importers to take back end of life products for
recycling and waste management separate from the municipal waste stream, or provide funds to
cover the cost of recycling programs.
This report provides background on the management of discarded computers, discusses some
of the initiatives undertaken in the United States and abroad, and identifies options that Congress
might consider if it were to address this issue.
