April 3, 2009

Electronics Recyclers Call for Improved E-Waste Processing

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Electronics recyclers and refurbishers are recommending several key changes to manufacturers on how they design electronic products and the information they need to improve processing of used devices.

They point to several key changes to enhance end-of-life (EOL) value recovery and process efficiency, including enhanced communications tools, product design for greater durability and reuse, eliminating hazardous substances, and improvements in materials separation through design.

A new report from the Green Electronics Council (GEC), “Closing the Loop: Product Design to Enhance Reuse/Recycling Value,” identifies several research priorities to increase the cost effectiveness and resource efficiency of e-scrap recycling. The findings provide a starting point for the research on improved product design for end-of-life per HR 1580 — The Electronic Waste Research and Development Act, recently approved by Congress, said GEC.

The report also recommends the development of a “Close the Loop Registry” — a Web-based centralized access point for product information about the attributes of particular products such as the location and number of screws and fasteners, location of hazardous substances, and information on identification and separation of plastics. This searchable database will help EOL managers more effectively and efficiently breakdown and recycle products without delays, according to the report.

The research and report were conducted in cooperation with the National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER) and E-Scrap News and funded through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OSWER Innovations Pilot Projects.

The research team will provide the Close the Loop product design recommendations to congressional staff and House Members working on HR 1580, and distribute the findings to eco-label and environmental standards organizations, such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) system that provides information to computer product purchasers on environmentally-rated products.

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Join the Discussion

Get EL Daily in your inbox, subscribe to free newsletter

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

  • 11/20/2009
  • 11/19/2009
  • 11/18/2009

Recent Jobs

Post a Job
Jobs powered by Simply Hired

Comments and Discussions

Stevenson on News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
"All of us should think of ways to save energy now. It is not a myth,..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."