News Release
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Goodwill Industries International Supports National Computer Recycling Act
January 31, 2005 |
Rockville, MD —
Goodwill Industries International supports the enactment of the
National Computer Recycling Act introduced by Reps. Mike Thompson
(D-CA) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY). The bill would direct the
Environmental Protection Agency to develop a national electronic waste
recycling program.
“For too long, nonprofit organizations have
had to pay the price of proper e-waste disposal, diverting dollars from
critical community services,” says George W. Kessinger, President and
CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The National Recycling Act
will help Goodwill and consumers dispose of e-waste in an
environmentally sound and economical manner.”
The National Recycling Act would:
- Direct the EPA to develop a grant program to encourage
municipalities, individuals and organizations to start e-waste
recycling programs.
- Require a comprehensive e-waste study to be conducted by the
EPA, which would make ongoing recommendations for addressing the
problem.
- Direct the EPA to assess a fee of up to $10 on new computers in order to fund the grant program.
“The
Act recognizes that nonprofit organizations collecting electronic goods
are acting for the benefit of the community and should not bear the
financial burden of disposal,” says Kessinger.
In 2004 alone,
more than 23 million pounds of electronic goods were donated to
Goodwill Industries. In response, local Goodwill agencies have created
programs to refurbish, de-manufacture or re-sell unusable computers and
their components. “While we are exploring viable ways to combat
e-waste, some Goodwill agencies do dispose of unwanted electronics in
landfills, where permitted,” says Kessinger. “Through the bill's new
recycling grant program, we will have funding to develop more effective
e-waste disposal strategies.” |
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