John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronics and e-waste, issued a statement today in response to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s announcement earlier this week regarding the agency’s international priorities. “Cleaning Up E-Waste” was named as one of six international priorities noted by Administrator Jackson at the Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Guanajuato, Mexico.
“We applaud the EPA and Administrator Jackson for placing such emphasis on the importance of the effective and responsible recycling of electronic waste,” said Shegerian. “There are still far too many organizations out there both at home and abroad that do not finish the job properly when it comes to the recycling of unwanted consumer electronics. As a result, hazardous ingredients from everything ranging from old computer monitors and television sets to cell phones and hand held gadgets end up in landfills” making them a threat to our neighbors abroad and to the environment at large. Fortunately, organizations such as ERI are committed to the responsible recycling of such items so they do not end up in landfills or illegally exported. We hope the EPA”s attention will lead to more organizations following this example.”
“Pollution doesn’t stop at international borders, and neither can our environmental and health protections,” said Jackson in a formal statement issued by the EPA. “The local and national environmental issues of the past are now global challenges. We send a strong message to our partners in the international community that our challenges are shared challenges, and that we are eager to work together on solutions. These six international priorities will guide our work during the months and years ahead.”
Electronics often end up discarded in developing countries where improper disposal can threaten local people and the environment. The EPA has acknowledged that it recognizes this urgent concern and will work with international partners to address the issues of E-waste. In the near term, the EPA reported that it will focus on ways to improve the design, production, handling, reuse, recycling, exporting and disposal of electronics.