BAN critical of US Federal government's E-waste recycling policies

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): The US Federal government’s e-waste recycling programs have come under severe criticism by the Basel Action Network (BAN). According to BAN, the US government continues to follow weakest recycling standards. It also has not put any restriction on export of hazardous e-waste to developing countries-mainly in Asia and Africa.

The recyclers with e-Stewards certification are bound by the decisions agreed to by 181 countries that are party to Basel Convention. As per Convention guidelines, export of hazardous waste including e-waste to developing countries is prohibited. However, the US still allows recycling by R2 certified facilities, which are not required to adhere to the Basel Convention decisions. This results in large scale exports of dangerous e-waste to dumping yards in developing countries. A recently released study report by apex trade body in India states that 42% of the e-waste imports by the country are from the US.

However, BAN notes that there are several companies in the US have agreed to partner with e-Stewards Recyclers. The watchdog commended the e-waste take-back program of Staples which indulges only e-Stewards certified recyclers to process the collected electronic items.

The Basel Action Network is a non-governmental charitable organization working to combat the export of toxic waste, toxic technology and toxic products from industrialized societies to developing countries.