2 House members unveil national e-waste recycling bill

Jan 27 -- Two House members have introduced a national electronics recycling bill aimed a preventing obsolete computer equipment and other electronics from going into the nation´s landfills.

Reps. Mike Thompson, D.-Calif., and Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., introduced the National Computer Recycling Act on Jan. 26.

"Electronic waste is growing exponentially as more Americans are upgrading their computer equipment every few years," Slaughter said. Much of the equipment contains toxic materials, including lead and chromium.

The bill would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a grant program to encourage local governments, individuals and organizations to start e-waste recycling programs. The EPA would conduct a study that recommends solutions for the ongoing problem, and the agency would impose a fee of as much as $10 on new computers to fund the grant program, although manufacturers and retailers with existing recycling programs would be exempt.

Without a national law, states are creating a patchwork of policies that make it difficult for manufacturers and retailers to adhere to the laws in all 50 states, the sponsors said.