EPA HAILS E-RECYCLING

PROGRESS AND
OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE

The U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) released a report
showing progress in e-recycling
(electronic waste recycling) on
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 in
Washington D.C. Additionally, EPA
representatives identified
opportunities for the EPA to advance
G7s recognition of circular economy
through efficient use throughout the
lifecycle of natural resources.

http://www.allgreenrecycling.com

The EPA released a report titled Advancing Sustainable

Materials Management (SMM) Facts and Figures that
shows growing consumer recycling of electronics in the
U.S.
Consumer electronics recycling rose to over 40 percent
in 2013, compared to 30.6 percent in 2012. This was the
year that the EPA first launched their electronics
challenge designed to promote the more responsible
recycling of used electronic items. SMM (tdhe EPAs
electronics recycling initiative introduced in 2013) is a
systematic approach to using and reusing materials
more productively over the entire lifecycle. This allows
the EPA to identify opportunities to conserve resources,
reduce costs, and reduce environmental impacts.
The EPA is providing science and information to the
public to promote the management of sustainable
materials. The EPA is also creating challenges aimed at
specific sectors to achieve shared goals, and holding
discussions with key SMM stakeholders.

http://www.allgreenrecycling.com

The Advancing Sustainable

Materials Management
Facts and Figures Report

Through the SMM, the EPA seeks to

use materials in the most productive
and sustainable method throughout
their lifecycle, while it minimizes the
amount of materials involved and the
associated environmental impacts.
Earlier in June 2015, the G7 Alliance
made a commitment to ambitious
action advancing efficient use
throughout the lifecycle of natural
resources.
The Alliance on Resources Efficiency
will also foster innovation on a
voluntary basis with businesses and
other stakeholders, including the
public sector, civil society, academia
and research institutions, and
consumers.

The SMM and

the G7 Natural
Resources
Commitment

http://www.allgreenrecycling.com

According to the Environmental Protection

Agency, electronic waste is one of the fastest
growing waste streams in Americas cities.
Existing space in landfills is quickly being
used up. Between 20 and 50 million tons of
electronic waste is disposed of each year,
including CRT and LCD monitors, LCD
televisions, plasma television, portable DVD
players with LCD screens, computers, laptops,
printers, cellphones, and other portable
electronics. While many of these items
include materials that could be reclaimed and
reused, instead it is left to degrade in landfills
where it will become a dangerous
environmental pollutant as toxic chemicals
leak into the ground, contaminating land and
water with substance harmful to plant,
animal, and human life.

50 Million Tons of
Electronic Waste
Each Year
http://www.allgreenrecycling.com

The EPAs SMM Electronics Challenge promotes

responsible recycling of electronics through
retailers and equipment manufacturers.
Challenge participants agree that by the third
year of their Challenge participation, they will
send 100% of used electronics to a certified
recycler. The certified recycler is a recognized
third-party organization, and the Challenge
participants agree to publicly report their
electronics recycling progress. This helps in
ensuring that e-recycling is performed diligently
and with the maximum benefit to the planet and
our industry.

Recycling Progress and Challenges

http://www.allgreenrecycling.com

Questions? Comments?
Website: http://www.allgreenrecycling.com
All Green Recycling
info@allgreenrecycling.com
(800) 780-0347

Source:
http://www.allgreenrecycling.com/blog/epa-hails-e-re
cycling-progress-and-opportunities-to-improve/