Dublin, Ireland, December 23, 2003. There are an estimated 62 million computers expected to be junked in 2003 -- three times the number that became obsolete in 1999. The E-waste issue has moved into prominence in the last few years, in part because the environmentalists have been able to gain major media attention to the issue. In California and Massachusetts, cathode ray tubes are banned from landfills. Maine and Minnesota recently banned CRTs from landfills as well.
About 13 countries already have take-back laws for electronics - each a little different. Within five years, 28 countries will have such laws. The European Parliament has passed two electronics recycling Directives that will change the way manufacturers design their products.
In the U.S., electronics makers are trying to hammer out a national take-back plan -- and this will include federal legislation if it goes through. If not, expect more state action. As of September 2003, there were 52 electronics bills in 26 state hoppers, and 65 mercury-related restriction bills, 10 of which affect electronics.
The newly updated 230-page report summarizes regulatory developments in electronics take-back around the world. Coverage includes 16 countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, including new details from South Korea and China.
The new European Directives (WEEE and RoHS) are explained in plain English, with details on who is affected, and which items have toxic materials restrictions. Included are collection organization information, and fee structures, and electronics recovery rates when available. Plus, the report provides English-speaking contacts for most countries.
On the U.S. side, the report includes background and analysis of the current regulatory climate for electronics stewardship, and summaries of state electronics take-back and related restrictive bills, as well as the results of major pilot collection programs at the local level.
The report features the results of an exclusive 50-state survey on the status of regulations that reduce barriers to electronics recycling in the U.S., (including an updated table listing newest universal waste regulations), and the 2003 survey that provides opinions of the state recycling managers on the issues.
For a complete index of this report, go to http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/41731
Laser Focus World