Protecting the Environment
Lack of U.S. Policy Threatens Developing Countries
E-waste contains toxic materials such as lead, PCBs, mercury and more. Responsible domestic recycling methods are essential to protecting the environment and the health of workers.
Yet American e-waste is often exported to developing countries where laws protecting the environment and workers are weak and rarely enforced. The pressure to cut corners is fierce, and corruption is mainstream.
Yet American e-waste is often exported to developing countries where laws protecting the environment and workers are weak and rarely enforced. The pressure to cut corners is fierce, and corruption is mainstream.
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Industry Standards Are Important - But Not Enough
Most American businesses and consumers want their electronics to be recycled in ways that protect the environment and workers. Responsible e-waste recyclers are certified to the e-Stewards and/or R2 standards that address exports and other practices.
But under current law it is easy for unscrupulous brokers to promise customers responsible recycling but then “pack and stack” the e-waste onto ships bound for developing countries that lack safeguards. It’s a highly profitable business model that poisons the land, air and water in impoverished communities.
But under current law it is easy for unscrupulous brokers to promise customers responsible recycling but then “pack and stack” the e-waste onto ships bound for developing countries that lack safeguards. It’s a highly profitable business model that poisons the land, air and water in impoverished communities.