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The 11 workers at Goodwill are part of a 10-week program designed to train workers for entry-level jobs in recycling what is known as electronic waste, or e-waste. The program, which began in July, trains low-skilled or displaced workers in disassembling electronics and separating the elements inside, sometimes called "de-manufacturing."

VISTA, Calif./EWORLDWIRE/Aug. 11, 2009 --- E-World Online today announced the debut of the Manufacturer Interstate Takeback System (MITS). Conceived and developed by E-World Online, with direction from Sony Electronics, the system will perform multiple functions: tracking the collection, transportation and responsible recycling of household, small business and small government electronics waste in various extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs throughout the U.S.

GALVESTON, Texas, Sep 01, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- John S. Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, spoke of the urgent importance of sustainable business practices and the "green collar workforce" today at the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling's (STAR's) 12th annual Recycling & Sustainability Summit.

From energy efficiency to toxics used in manufacturing to end-of-life issues, the road to truly green electronics faces a steep climb. Although most companies are taking these issues very seriously, it will surely be a slow process. Every three months, the international environmental group Greenpeace rates these companies on how well they're doing -- and raises the bar a little higher. In this, the tenth quarterly Guide to Greener Electronics, Greenpeace calls on manufacturers to up their company-wide commitments to steep and rapid cuts in overall greenhouse gas emissions. Nokia maintains its top score in the ranking, earning 6.9 points out of 10 possible for its takeback program and reducing the use of toxic chemicals like PVC, brominated flame retardants and antimony trioxide. Rounding out the top four is a three-way tie between Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Samsung, all with 5.9 points. Sony earned high marks for its new environmental warranty for responsible takeback, Toshiba gains ground with its reporting of and goals toward renewable energy use and emissions reductions, and Samsung earned praise for reducing toxic chemical use and building energy-efficient products.

The Consumer Electronics Show is the greenest it has ever been so far, writes Maura Judkis of Fresh Greens. Highlights from the show: Toshiba unveiled the Super Charge Battery, which is touted as a longer-lasting battery with a target recharge time of 90 percent in just 10 minutes. The company also said it has teamed up with Sharp and Panasonic to create the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company , which will set up 280 recycling points across all 50 states. The eventual goal is to have a network of over 800 recycling points across the country, making it much easier for businesses and consumers to dispose of electronic waste, writes vnunet.com

Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Seattle, says a state law that just went into effect to encourage recycling of electronics needs some tinkering to make sure it doesn't inadvertently bankrupt businesses that fix old computers. Hudgins' South Seattle district includes several computer-refurbishing shops. The law went into effect yesterday. It allows consumers to recycle computers, computer monitors, laptops and TVs for free. It is being hailed as groundbreaking nationally because it marks the first time a state has forced electronics manufacturers to pay the entire cost of the recycling. But there's a big problem with the law, according to environmentalists as well as the computer refurbishers. They say it puts a big hurdle in the way of the computer rebuilders. So Hudgins says he is drafting legislation in an attempt to fix the problem. The legislation would allow nonprofit groups to fix perhaps 500 to 1,000 computers per year for resale to the public.

SEATTLE - A new state law that helps you get rid of your old electronics for free is hurting charities. Charities can no longer fix up old equipment to reuse it, but a brand new bill headed to the state legislature Wednesday could bring some relief. Representative Zack Hudgins' new bill aims to allow electronics collectors to make minor repairs so they can reuse old electronics. The current law is a problem for charities like Interconnection in Seattle. Since the new recycling law went into affect on January 1st, they now have to throw away hundreds of computers that could be put to good use. At Interconnection, you'll find trained hands tinkering with donated computers.

It's Christmas morning, and there beneath the tree was your new television, sleek and digital. Or maybe it was a new computer. Or the newest electronic gee-whiz gadget. All well and good, but what are you going to do with the old equipment it replaces? Most people - about 88 percent according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - simply toss so-called e-waste into the trash. Given the heavy metals and other toxic substances such equipment contains, that's obviously a bad idea, says the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, a national consortium of environmental and consumer groups. But, in some cases, doing the seemingly responsible thing - hauling outmoded equipment to a recycler - is as bad as junking it, warned Barbara Kyle, the group's national coordinator. Often, she said, "recycled" electronics are shipped to processors in developing countries, who use primitive techniques to extract valuable metals.

The program is operated by the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority, a quasi-governmental agency created by the legislation to work with the 200 or so manufacturers that sell computers and televisions in Washington state. In addition, the state Department of Ecology has certified four electronic waste processing firms - two in this state, one in Oregon and one in California - to disassemble the electronic equipment into separate materials for reuse or safe disposal, including glass, plastic, metal and toxic chemicals. The program is designed in part to stem the flow of electronic waste to Third World countries, where it is often dismantled crudely, threatening the environment, public health and the health of workers.

In the midst of a show dedicated to birthing new technology and gadgets, there was some serious thought Tuesday about where consumer electronics go when they die. "The things that are on display right now are new and shiny at the moment, but somewhere down the road they're going to be obsolete and ready to be recycled," said Brian Taylor, editor in chief of Recycling Today Media Group, who moderated a panel discussion at the International Consumer Electronics Show. "The recycling of electronic goods, in particular, is being pushed by environmental advocates and by governments around the world," Taylor

A tool for recycling, reuse, networking, disposal and management of electronics waste How can ecyclingtools.com help my business? Extending the life of your electronics or donating equipment can save you money and conserve valuable resources. Properly recycling outdated electronics assures safe management of the hazardous components that are in many devices and permits the recovery and reuse of valuable materials to reduce the need for the extraction of new raw materials from the earth.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, joined Fresno Mayor Alan Autry and a host of other local business leaders to launch its new e-waste shredder - the largest and most efficient shredder of its kind in North America. Mayor Autry cut the ribbon and hit the "on" switch for the ceremonial launch, which took place today at ERI's new 125,440 square foot expansion facility at 3243 S. East Avenue in Fresno.

If you've been waiting forever to unload that old TV or computer, Jan. 1 is your lucky day. A new state law requires electronics manufacturers to start safely recycling four of the most-discarded items, with no charge to consumers. Washington's law is the first in the nation to require electronics producers to pay for the whole process. But, please, don't everyone haul your used computers, monitors, laptops and TVs to the recycling center the first week of January, industry and government officials are pleading. They fear a glut of electronic waste clogging the system just as it gets off the ground.

The WMMFA is the manufacturer board-directed authority created by state law to handle the recycling of certain electronics in the state of Washington. Our job is to follow state law and guidelines as set forth by the department of Ecology to create a standard plan that manufacturers will participate in and finance. We coordinate collectors, transporters and processors to recycle covered electronics, then bill participating member manufacturers for the costs. Starting January 1st, 2009 covered electronics: TVs, Computer Monitors, Laptops and Computer towers will be recycled. The plan does not cover printers, scanners, keyboards, mice or other accessories.

The National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2005 that is dedicated to the development and enhancement of a national infrastructure for the recycling of used electronics in the U.S.

The International Electronics Recycling Conference & Expo is the premier net working event and tradeshow for the fast growing and important electronics recycling industry.

Scientific American, 7/17/09, article by Larry Greenemeier. Most people assume that their trash ends up in a landfill somewhere far away (if they think about this at all). But growing concern over the environmental impact of waste-discarded electronics, in particular-has prompted a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to take a high-tech approach to studying exactly what people are tossing out and where those items are ending up. The researchers, part of MIT's Senseable City Lab, have developed electronic tags that they're hoping as many as 3,000 volunteers in Seattle and New York City will affix to different items they throw away this summer as part of the Trash Track program. These tags will contact cell phone towers they pass as they flow through the trash stream to their final destinations, helping the researchers monitor the patterns and costs of urban disposal.

As industry groups file suit against a New York City e-waste recycling program, AT&T is ramping up its own wireless recycling initiatives, showing the divergent attitude that is emerging among sellers of electronic devices. AT&T estimates it will collect roughly 14 million wireless devices for recycling by the end of 2011, which will keep more than 920 tons of primary materials and more than 13 tons of toxic waste out of landfills. Post provides highlights of AT&T e-waste initiative, information on lawsuit filed in NYC, and information on the Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia (ESABC). ESABC is revising the Environmental Handling Fees (EHFs) charged on products which were regulated for the launch of the program August 1, 2007. Most charges will be lowered between 20 to 75 percent. These changes will become effective on August 1, 2009 and are directly related to computer, printer, monitor and TV purchases.

CEH report, Oct. 2006. In the past few years, the storm of complaints about UNICOR's recycling program from prisoners, prison guards, and others has brought these hidden sweatshops into public view. Since 1994, UNICOR has built a lucrative business that employs prisoners to recycle electronic waste (e-waste). A massive array of ewaste is largely hidden from view, as are the workers who handle the waste. Over 100,000 computers become obsolete in the U.S. every day. E-waste includes computers, personal digital assistants, TVs, and other electronic devices. E-waste is a doubleedged sword: it is rich in precious materials that can be recycled, but it also contains a cocktail of hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and cadmium. This report examines the e-waste recycling programs run by Federal Prison Industries (FPI), a government-owned corporation that does business under the trade name UNICOR.

iGo, a leading provider of portable power management, has made a pledge to support and maintain the iGo Recycles program in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency's Plug-in to eCycling. The program is a voluntary partnership between the EPA and electronics manufacturers to offer household consumers more opportunities to donate or recycle their used electronics.