ISRI adopts new electronic waste exporting policy

March 26 -- The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries has adopted a new policy it says will address health, environmental and safety problems sometimes associated with the export of electronic waste for recycling or disposal.

"The policy adopted [March 25] by the ISRI Board of Directors embodies the most environmentally sustainable and realistic approach to electronic scrap recycling," said ISRI President Robin Wiener. "This is a responsible, safe and legal approach to electronics recycling that protects worker health and safety, as well as ensuring environmentally sustainable practices that can actually deal with this global issue."

The new policy bans the export of electronic equipment and components for landfilling or incineration and requires that facilities outside the U.S. that recycle or refurbish electronics have a documented, verifiable environmental, health and worker safety system in place, Weiner said. Other requirements include requires that any facility must be capable of handling hazardous waste and requires U.S. exporters confirm a facility they export to is in compliance with the law.

The new policy decision aligns ISRI with the Responsible Recycling (R2) program, developed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other stakeholders.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com