Houston Targets E-Scrap -A Responsible and Cost Effective Electronics Recycling Program

摘要

The amount of electronics that becomes obsolete every year is growing constantly. American consumers appear to have an insatiable appetite for emerging technologies as new and better equipment continually becomes more affordable. Soon flat-panel computer monitors, high-definition TVs, and digital video disc players will become more affordable and start to flood the marketplace. As a result, these new generation electronic devices along with the stockpile of old electronics that individuals and businesses have in their attics, closets and warehouses will be discarded at a faster rate than ever, flooding the solid waste stream with electronics. In October 2001, Houston's Solid Waste Management Department proactively initiated the Electronic Scrap (E-Scrap) Recycling Program to provide an environmentally responsible means of dealing with the impending dilemma of electronic scrap recycling and proper disposal. Due to U.S. electronic scrap recyclers flooding third world countries with massive quantities of electronics containing hazardous materials, they are wreaking environmental havoc in some of the world's poorest areas. An investigation uncovered electronic scrap processors in third world countries operating under extremely harmful conditions both to human health and the environment. The Solid Waste Management Department's Recycling Division takes very cautious steps to examine and screen qualified and responsible contractors to process electronic scrap from the City. Through a contract partnership with Recycle America, Inc. (a subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc.), Houston residents can dispose of electronic scrap goods by bringing them to both the City's Environmental Service Center (ESC), and the Westpark Consumer Recycling Center. Items accepted include: monitors, televisions, printers, keyboards, mice, scanners, fax machines, telephone headsets, VCRs, CPUs, cellular phones without batteries, and other small consumer electronics. Funding for this program is provided through the Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) Program, administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). SEP funds are generated from fines collected from private companies committing environmental violations. These funds are dedicated to support approved projects with beneficial environmental goals, such as the Electronic Scrap Recycling Program. Use of these funds will allow the City to provide a beneficial service, divert hazardous material from the landfill, and avoid straining the general fund budget.