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“Ten to 30 percent of electronics donated to Goodwill are e-waste, and we need to find solutions that ensure that nonprofits are not forced to divert dollars from vital community programs to waste disposal,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  “Through the Congressional E-waste Working Group, we hope to develop national standards that will ensure environmentally sound and economical e-waste recycling and disposal strategies.” 

Each year, both consumers and businesses discard tens of millions of televisions, computers, cell phones, and other electronic products. The International Association of Electronic Recyclers estimates that by 2010, Americans will discard 400 million electronic units annually.  The challenge is to find economical ways to recycle and reuse these products.

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 re-sell, refurbish, or de-manufacture unusable computers and their components, but many Goodwill organizations must still pay to dispose of e-waste.  “When we have to pay disposal fees, we lose money that we could instead invest in job training and career programs for people in our communities who are unemployed,” says Kessinger.  “We hope to find viable ways to combat e-waste, while ensuring nonprofits don’t bear the cost.”

Two Republicans and two Democrats, Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Mary Bono (R-CA), are heading up the working group.  Other participants include: Goodwill Industries International, the Consumer Electronics Association, the Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition, the Electronics Industries Alliance and private sector interests.