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Responsible Recycling Practices for Electronics Recyclers

Americans are growing more concerned about the responsible handling of used electronics (e-waste) as the media sheds light on horrendous e-waste recycling practices in some developing countries that are sometimes the ultimate destination of unwanted equipment from the United States. Questions have been raised on what EPA has been doing to practices by irresponsible recyclers. Recognizing the critical importance of environmentally sound recycling, EPA has worked closely with stakeholders, including recyclers, equipment manufacturers, representatives of state government, trade associations, and public interest groups, to develop a new set of standards, the Responsible Recycling Practices for Electronics Recyclers (R2). On July 27, 2009, the American National Standards Institute-American Society of Quality National Accreditation Board (ANAB) announced that it will start accrediting companies that will certify recyclers of electronic equipment under the R2 practices.

Recent Feature Stories

Adding Green to the Mix: Wastewater Facility Construction Uses Recycled Materials

Construction workers pour concrete mix containing fly ash.

One of the core components of the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 is to encourage green building practices as part of rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure. State and local governments receiving ARRA funding for new infrastructure design and construction or repairs of existing infrastructure should seek opportunities to incorporate sustainable design and construction principles into projects. Although King County's Brightwater Treatment System featured in this article is not an official ARRA project, this project illustrates the core principles in the ARRA.

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Best Buy Ramps Up Recycling

Customers walk into a Best Buy store to check out the latest gadgets and dazzling electronics, and now to recycle their old ones. In February, the Minneapolis-based company began accepting consumer electronics of nearly every type and brand, regardless of where they were purchased, at all its 1,006 US stores for recycling.

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EPA Publishes Resource Conservation Challenge Update

Many businesses and organizations are leading significant efforts for the RCC! Check out the Resource Conservation Challenge Update: The Right Time to Build a Sustainable Future (32 pp, 3.6MB, about PDF) for more information and to get ideas for how you may get involved. This RCC Update describes the benefits of the RCC partnership programs, provides a snapshot of notable partnership accomplishments during 2007 and 2008, and references tools and educational materials developed by EPA.

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Cherry Hill Showing the Way on America Recycles Day

This past Nov. 15 marked the 11th annual America Recycles Day, an opportunity for cities and citizens to re-commit to improving recycling rates and protecting the environment. Cherry Hill, NJ, stands out among communities that are "greening" themselves, and can be a model for others looking to do the same.

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Construction Industry Building a Greener Future

Webcor’s office in San Mateo, CA

A growing number of construction companies are taking a double-barreled approach to their work: Not only are they erecting "green" buildings, they are reducing the environmental impact of their day-to day operations. For example, many firms are careful to recycle bricks, concrete, and wood left after building demolitions, or that are unused during construction. Back at the office, they recycle copy paper and architectural drawings, and buy recycled-content office supplies. For example, Webcor Builders has set a 90 percent recycling goal for 2008.

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