Lawmakers Form Bipartisan Congressional E-Waste Working Group

Two Republicans and two Democrats joined forces today in the fight to reduce electronic waste (e-waste). Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Mary Bono (R-CA) announced the formation of the Congressional E-Waste Working Group at a news conference this morning.

The working group will explore possible solutions to the nation's growing electronic waste problem while educating Members of Congress about its consequences. Over 50 million computers are disposed of annually and each of these computers contains harmful elements such as lead, cadmium and mercury. If electronics are disposed of improperly they can harm people and the environment.

"Today the average lifespan of a computer is only 2 years and Americans are disposing of 3,000 tons of computers each day. Many people are unaware of how to properly dispose of outdated electronics, so they hold on to them, taking up space in homes and businesses," Rep. Thompson said. "E-waste is a growing environmental problem that warrants national action. Our working group will meet on a regular basis to investigate the possible solutions to this problem."

"I am proud to announce my participation in the newly formed E-Waste Working Group," Rep. Cunningham said. "Electronic recycling has not received the attention it deserves from the federal government and this is why we have established the E-Waste Working Group. My colleagues and I stand here today to show our personal commitment to solving this important issue."

"E-waste is a national problem that needs a national solution. Since the year 2000, we've increased the number of electronics entering the waste stream by at least 10 million units," Rep. Slaughter said. "As we continue to dispose of more and more units each year, finding a national disposal approach becomes more and more critical. We can no longer afford to ignore this growing problem."

"The potential harm to both the environment and humans from the improper disposal of e-waste is a rapidly growing concern that Congress needs to address," Rep. Bono said. "I am thrilled to work with Congressmen Thompson, Cunningham and Congresswoman Slaughter to address this issue and hope that this working group can set the groundwork for a useful and intelligent conversation on how best to tackle this rising problem."

Following today's news conference the E-Waste Working Group co-sponsored its first Congressional staff briefing with seven stakeholder groups, the Consumer Electronics Association, the Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition, the Electronics Industries Alliance, Panasonic, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, and Goodwill Industries. The event was titled, "Electronic Device Recycling: Is a National Implementation Approach Necessary?" Ben Wu, The Department of Commerce's Undersecretary for Technology and Matt Hale, Director of the EPA's Office of Solid Waste, addressed the staff members in attendance.