(Washington, DC) – The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), expressed concern over legislation introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) that will restrict legitimate trade of used electronic products (UEPs), diminish environmentally responsible recycling throughout the world, and threaten American jobs. S. 2090, will negatively influence recycling efforts by undermining existing policies and initiatives, such as those proposed by the Obama Administration and the Interagency Task Force on Federal Electronics Stewardship, and will also violate international trade laws by unilaterally and arbitrarily banning exports to certain countries.
“This bill fails to end irresponsible recycling and will limit any opportunity to promote environmentally sound electronics recycling standards in other countries by perpetuating the outdated approach of identifying environmental risk based simply on geographic location rather than responsible operating practices,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI.
“This legislation is fatally flawed,” continued Wiener. “Not only does it violate trade obligations, but study after study shows the vast majority of used electronics collected for recycling within the U.S. remains in the U.S. for processing, and is not exported.”
Studies by the International Data Corporation, U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)/United Nations University all refute the need for this bill. For example, the ITC report in February 2013, revealed 88 percent of all UEPs exported as repaired/refurbished are sent “tested and working.” Only a small share of U.S. exports, less than one percent (0.8), is sent overseas for disposal.
Other evidence indicates that the legislation will cost American jobs. According to John Dunham and Associates, many small electronics recycling firms would be forced out of business and workers let go should this bill pass.
The recycling industry supports efforts that contribute to responsible recycling globally and job creation within the U.S. The best way to accomplish this is through strict enforcement of current laws – domestic and international; restrictions (such as notification, recordkeeping and due diligence requirements) on the export of unprocessed, non-working UEPs to any country for the purpose of recycling, reuse or refurbishment; a ban on the export of UEPs for landfill or incineration for disposal; and the promotion of global trade in tested, working UEPs for reuse and commodity grade e-scrap for recycling by industrial consumers worldwide.
ISRI represents nearly 400 companies that handle electronics at more than 675 locations throughout the U.S. and around the world.
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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI)
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling Industry™. ISRI represents more than 1,700 companies in 21 chapters nationwide that process, broker and industrially consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides safety, education, advocacy, and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.