Arlington, Va., April 22 -- As of Earth Day, 2004, U.S. consumers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia had more than 1,800 locations, events and opportunities available to them to recycle and reuse electronics safely, conveniently and responsibly, according to the Electronic Industries Alliance’s (EIA) web-based Consumer Education Initiative (CEI), at www.eiae.org. Since its launch three years ago, the CEI has attracted the interest of more than 300,000 website visitors and in the past seven months, new information on 153 electronics recyclers and 352 collection facilities across the country has been added to the site. The CEI is constantly updated and currently has information on the schedules and activities of more than 800 electronics recyclers nationwide.

“Electronics are being built in smaller, better, faster, and more environmentally friendly ways, year after year,” Heather Bowman, EIA’s Director of Environmental Issues, said in noting the high-tech industry’s technological advances. “Nonetheless, our industry continues to face more and more environmental regulation. Regulation alone is not the answer, and neither is financing plans without a shared responsibility for everyone involved. The best solution is education – web-based education efforts that quickly and easily tell consumers where they can recycle their computers, laptops and televisions safely and conveniently. With EIA’s Consumer Education Initiative, you can find out online how, where and when to safely recycle electronics equipment with the click of your mouse.” EIA member companies promote the CEI to their customers by including information the website in user manuals, product websites and other product-related materials.

As the leading environmental advocate for the electronics and high-tech industries, EIA has also sought to provide feedback and educate regulatory agencies and other groups. EIA’s most noteworthy work has been its participation in the National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative (NEPSI). Organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss and reach agreement on a national solution for the financing of end-of-life electronics, NEPSI started holding meetings in April of 2001.Since those first meetings, EIA and representatives from the U.S. electronics industry have been working to develop sustainable, fair and effective recycling efforts. EIA and the industry representatives have also been tasked with developing a framework for financing a mandated nationwide recycling program that NEPSI could recommend to Congress. Significant progress has been made by an industry group preparing the legislative options.

In the past few years, EIA’s member companies in the electronics industry have also launched individual initiatives to educate consumers and government agencies on the issues and worked to develop recycling programs. For example, several of EIA’s member companies have established partnerships with government agencies on local collection events across the nation.

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As the lead industry trade association on the issue, EIA has:
worked with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Goodwill Industries, and industry member companies to develop a pilot program for recycling efforts at two Goodwill Industries sites as part of a true electronics recycling shared responsibility model in which costs are borne by industry, consumers and charitable organizations;
initiated and participated in numerous electronics recycling conferences and workshop to share information regardingend-of-life electronics management issues;
fostered a greater understanding of the electronics industry and its practices;
educated stakeholders on electronics recycling challenges in the U.S. and abroad;
supported EPA’s Plug-in to eCycling program;
participated in several state stakeholder and advisory committee groups; and,
advocated for practical, feasible and cost-effective electronics recycling efforts in over 20 states.

“Electronics recycling isn’t just a manufacturers’ issue, or a consumer issue, or a problem the states should have to handle,” Bowman pointed out. “It’s an issue affecting everyone. That’s why education and information are so important. With the CEI web-based effort we intend to educate as many people as possible about recycling and reuse options, because the more consumers know, the more progress we can make.”

About EIA: The Electronic Industries Alliance is the leading trade organization in the U.S. for the high-tech industry. Its 2,500 member companies provide products and services ranging from microscopic electronic components to state-of-the-art defense, space and industry high-tech systems, as well as the full range of consumer electronic and telecommunications products. EIA’s mission is to promote the market development and competitiveness of the U.S. high-tech industry through domestic and international policy efforts.

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