The Problem of E-waste

Discarded computers and other consumer electronics (so called e-waste) are the fastest growing portion of our waste stream. There are hundreds of millions of old computers and TV's "out there," no longer being used, ready for disposal.

But these products are full of toxic materials, like lead, mercury, beryllium, and other chemicals which are extremely dangerous to humans. Therefore we need to keep them out of our landfills or incinerators, to keep these harmful chemicals from leaching into our groundwater or polluting our air.

Federal Regulations Don't Protect Us

Current federal regulations are lenient, allowing households and small businesses to dispose of toxic e-waste in normal municipal waste facilities. Some states have adopted stronger measures.

More info on current federal regulations

Solution: Electronic Waste Recycling

Electronics products can actually be recycled, keeping them out of our landfills and incinerators. Some products can be refurbished and reused. There are some e-waste recycling programs, but most are paid for by taxpayer money or consumer fees.

The Computer TakeBack Campaign wants the manufacturers to take responsibility for recycling their products both to significantly increase the amount of recycling happening, and to provide the companies with an incentive to design their products to be less toxic and easier to reuse and recycle.

Legislative Solutions to the E-Waste Problem

Many states have introduced legislation to establish comprehensive electronics recycling programs, using the "Producer Takeback" Model.

Some legislators are taking more preliminary legislative steps, like disposal bans or study bills, to get started on the issue, and to start organizing a base of support on the e-waste issue.

E-Waste Issue Has Broad Appeal
The e-waste issue has proven to have bi-partisan support and a wide appeal to a variety of constituent groups. It works as a:

• Consumer Issue
• Tax Issue
• Environmental Issue
• Jobs and Economic Development Issue
• Corporate Accountability Issue
• Waste Management Issue

View flyer on how E-waste issue appeals to wide list of constituents

Computer TakeBack Campaign Three Point Program

Take It Back.
Electronics manufacturers should be responsible for establishing electronics "takeback" programs, where consumers and small business can take back their old electronics for safe recycling. It should be as easy to recycle products as it is to buy them. If the manufacturers have responsibility for products at the end of their life, they have an incentive to design them for easier recycling and reuse.
Make It Clean.
It would be easier and cheaper to recycle electronics products if they did not contain so many toxic materials. Companies should embrace "design for the environment" principles and offer products that are less toxic and easier to recycle.
Recycle Responsibly.
There are many "sham recyclers" out there, who collect products supposedly for recycling, but then they ship them to China or India, or to U.S. prisons for disassembly. We should ban hazardous e-waste exports and use domestic recyclers who follow strict environmental and worker safety standards.

Computer TakeBack Campaign
760 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112
408-287-6707

For more information: www.computertakeback.com

info@etakeback.org