Key Panel Holds Electronic Waste Hearing

The House Energy and Commerce Committee today held the first Congressional hearing on the nation's growing electronic waste (e-waste) problem. Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) and other members of the Congressional E-waste Working Group testified at the hearing.

"Each day electronic products are becoming smaller and lighter, but they are also creating an ever-growing environmental and waste disposal problem," Thompson said. "Today the average lifespan of a computer is only two years and Americans are disposing of 3,000 tons of computers each day."

The Environment and Hazardous Waste Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee held today's hearing which was titled, "Electronic Waste: An Examination of Current Activity, Implications for Environmental Stewardship, and the Proper Federal Role." Representatives from the Department of Commerce and Environmental Protection Agency testified as well as representatives from California, Maine and Maryland, the three states that have passed e-waste laws.

"Without a national recycling infrastructure consumers and businesses are left with few alternatives for getting rid of their old computers and electronics," Thompson added. "This hearing is an important first step in addressing this growing problem. The E-waste Working Group will continue to work with the committee to investigate the problem and look for a common sense national solution."

Earlier this year Thompson introduced the National Computer Recycling Act (H.R. 425) a bill that would direct the EPA to develop and implement a national e-waste recycling program.