The E-Waste Problem and Our Work For Solutions
- The Problem With Electronics:
- Quickly Obsolete
- Hard to Recycle
- Discards Badly Managed
- Our Work For Solutions:
- Producer Takeback
- Green Design
- Responsible Recycling
- Legislation and Policy
Electronics Recycling Guide
Wondering what to do with your old computers, phones, televisions, and other gadgets?
Go to our Guide To Recycling Your Electronics. The guide shows how you can find responsible recyclers in your state plus information on the manufacturers' and retailers' takeback services.
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E- Waste Facts & Figures
Looking for statistics on electronic waste? Check our our Facts and Figures on Electronic Waste.
E-Waste Collection Volumes By State
How much e-waste is coming back under the state mandated programs? This summary includes the first quarter results from the new Washington and Oregon programs.
State and Local Governments Call on Industry To Withdraw New York City E-Waste Lawsuit
State and local governments are challenging the electronics industry's legal end-run around state and city e-waste takeback laws. Officials from state and local governments from 18 states have sent a letter to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) call on them to withdraw their lawsuit against New York City's e-waste law. And local governments in New York State, California, and Oregon have submitted an amicus brief to the court, defending the New York law, and the rights of cities and states to legislate on producer responsibility. More info. View legal filings.
New Report on the Greening of Electronic Products
Apple, Sony Ericsson and Major Suppliers are Leading the Industry in Removing Chlorine and Bromine Based Substances from Electronic Products
Two leading environmental organizations, Clean Production Action and ChemSec, have released a new report showing companies that are leading the electronics industry by moving away from chemicals that can lead to health and environmental problems. 
The report: “Greening Consumer Electronics: Moving Away from Bromine and Chlorine” features seven companies who have engineered environmental solutions that negate the need for most -- or in some cases all -- uses of brominated and chlorinated chemicals. This includes eliminating brominated flame retardants and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can create dioxin, a human carcinogen, during the burning of e-waste.
More information (from Clean Production Action, an ETBC partner organization.)
TV Company Recycling Report Card
Some improvements, but many companies still have no recycling programs 
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition’s June 2009 Report Card show some improvements in major TV manufacturers' national programs to take back and recycle their old TVs. But more than half of the 17 companies ranked still get scored a failing "F" grade, because they have no recycling program in place. This includes Vizio, which is now the number 2 seller of flat panel TVs in the US.
See Report Card (on our TV campaign site).
Take action and tell Vizio to do its part for the environment and offer a takeback program.
Dell's Announces Strongest Export Policy in Industry
Dell has announced the strongest policy on e-waste export in the electronics industry: if a piece of equipment under Dell's control isn't working, Dell won't export it to any developing country. ETBC applauds Dell for its leadership on this critical issue, and hopes Congress will take action to close the door on global e-waste dumping by passing legislation modeled on Dell's policy.
Take Back My TV Campaign
On June 12, 2009, millions of TVs became obsolete, when the government-mandated switch from analog to digital TV signal took effect. We think the TV manufacturers should offer national programs to take back and recycle our TVs. We are having some good success with our TV campaign - already Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba have launched national recycling programs. For more info, check out our TV Campaign website.
CAMPAIGN NEWS
Resolution Calls on Congress to Handle Its E-Waste Using Certified e-Stewards
Representative Mike Thompson introduced a resolution that calls on Congress to craft a plan to deal with its own e-waste, only using recyclers certified to the new e-Stewards Standard – the highest in the industry. More
Wisconsin Governor signs e-waste bill - 20th State to pass recycling law
Governor Jim Doyle has signed into law an e-waste recycling law requiring manufacturers to take back and recycle their old products. Wisconsin is the 20th state to pass an e-waste law. More
New Standards for Electronics Recycling Complete. Certification program coming soon.
The Basel Action Network (BAN) has completed the development of high standards for recyclers, which will be the core of a new certification program beginning in 2010. More
EPA Fines Fake Recycler - Supreme Asset Management & Recovery
The EPA fined Supreme Asset Management and Recovery of New Jersey $199,900 for illegally exporting monitors to Hong Kong. More
Electronics Industry Sues NYC on Takeback Law
The two electronics industry associations (CEA and ITI) have filed suit against the New York City e-waste recycling law, launching an attack on the concept of manufacturers taking responsibility for their products. More.
PBS' Frontline Covers
E-Waste Export in "Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground"
Fake Electronics Recycling in Pittsburgh
Local charities in Pittsburgh, PA were duped by a company claiming to be an electronics recycler. E-waste collected in their fundraiser collection events were exported to Hong Kong and South Africa. The EPA filed an enforcement action for violating federal regulations. More.