Elk Grove Village, IL (PRWEB) January 07, 2012

As the old year is finished and a new year is upon us, many eyes are set upon shiny new phones, cutting edge notebooks and ultra-fast laptops. Out with the old and in with the new! It is undeniable that the growth rate of consumer electronics is rising at unprecedented levels, which is an admiral and promising reflection of our society?s growth and intellect. Unfortunately, these advances are creating huge surpluses of unwanted electronics and the proper disposal methods are not keeping up. The amount of electronics being disposed of unethically is growing at increasing rates.

Growth of E-Waste

A Pike Research study that was released just last month reported the amount of discarded electronics, also known as e-waste, will double in the next 15 years. End of year reports showed that 2010 closed with a whopping total of 6 million tons of e-waste. At the current rate, the study expects to see 14.9 million tons of e-waste in 2025.

Another study completed by the Environmental Protection Agency reported that in 2009, Americans had 2.37 million tons of electronics that were ready for end-of-life management and that only 25% of this was collected for recycling.

Consequences of Improper E-Waste Disposal

When one considers the consequences of irresponsible e-waste disposal, it becomes quite clear that action should be taken. When used electronics are thrown away, many times they end up in landfills, incinerated, recycled or exported. Whether electronics are filling local landfills, being burned into the air we breathe or being shipped to 3rd world countries on the other side of the globe, the treatment of these wastes should be monitored with great care. The hazardous elements involved with this type of waste include americium (carcinogenic), mercury, sulphur and many others. Whether these hazards are in our land or the lungs and hands of our workers, these hazards may cause health concerns in the future.

Combating the Problems of E-Waste

One way to reduce the problems that come from electronic surpluses is to follow the old mantra ?Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.? One of the easiest and most economical ways to do this is to support the used & refurbished electronics market. Belmont Technology is a trusted and reliable company that features an extensive line of fully-functioning, reliable refurbished laptop computers, refurbished desktop pcs, parts & peripherals. Belmont Technology is committed to providing an alternative way to reuse computers in a way that helps everyone. Belmont is certified for ISO 9001, 14001 and OHSAS 18001 Responsible Recycling? (R2). Belmont is also eStewards certified and an official Microsoft Registered Refurbisher. And when you buy a used computer or part, you are getting quality brands that have full capabilities. You can even find refurbished Apple notebooks!

When you support the used and refurbished computer industry, you?re helping the planet and your pocket book.

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(PRWEB) December 20, 2011

The Coalition For American Electronics Recycling (CAER) today announced that Sims Recycling Solutions has joined the industry effort to support federal legislation that will restrict export of toxic electronic waste (e-waste) from the U.S. and spur creation of tens of thousands of jobs through expansion of the domestic recycling industry. In the House of Representatives, 13 co-sponsors have announced support for the bill, including six Republicans and seven Democrats.

With the addition of Sims Recycling Solutions, the largest e-recycling company in the world, CAER now includes 34 U.S. companies with 89 facilities involved in all aspects of the domestic electronics recycling and disposition industry, with operations in 32 states as well as the District of Columbia. (Complete membership list below, or visit the CAER website). Also supporting the legislation are Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Apple, Samsung, Best Buy and LG.

?The addition of these industry leaders reflects growing consensus that the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act is good for business and will create much-needed jobs and enhance sustainability,? said John Shegerian, Co-founder and President, Electronic Recyclers International. ?Our members are committed to growing an American industry with the capacity to manage e-waste generated within our borders and the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs in every part of the country.?

Introduced in June, the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (HR 2284/SB1270) would restrict toxic e-waste exports to developing countries that lack adequate safeguards for the environment and workers. There is growing bi-partisan support for the bill as additional co-sponsors have joined the bill in recent weeks. To support Representative Gene Green (D-TX), the lead House sponsor of the bill, 13 co-sponsors now include: Mike Thompson (D-CA), Lee Terry (R-NE), Steve LaTourette (R-OH), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Blake Farenthold (R-TX), Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dennis Ross (R-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). In the Senate, similar legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

CAER?s emergence represents a major split in the recycling industry regarding e-waste exports. The industry?s primary trade association, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), has long opposed restrictions on e-waste exports. By joining CAER, ISRI members are breaking with the trade association?s position and taking a stand in support of export restrictions on unprocessed electronic products that will create jobs and protect the environment.

Three of the seven companies on the CAER steering committee are also ISRI members, including Sims Recycling Solutions, Electronic Recyclers International, and Hugo Neu.

?Unrestricted and unfair trade in electronic scrap with developing countries has thwarted the job growth that can come with a robust domestic recycling infrastructure,? said CAER steering committee member David Zimet, President of Hesstech. ?The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act will enable American recyclers to make new investments in facilities and staff and personnel necessary to legitimize and grow an American industry and position America as a leader in global markets.

The Coalition is continuing to work with both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which have jurisdiction over the bills as well as other Congressional offices who would benefit from the job creation from this legislation. For more information about HR 2284/SB1270, visit the CAER website, which includes links to the full text of each bill.

Coalition for American Electronics Recycling ? Membership

December 20, 2011

2 trg, Ohio, New York, Kentucky

4th Bin, New York

All Green Electronics Recycling, California, DC, New York

AVR Recycling, California

Cascade Asset Management, Wisconsin, Indiana

Creative Recycling, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois

ECS Refining, California, Oregon, Texas

eForce Compliance, Pennsylvania

Electronic Recyclers International, Washington, California, Colorado, Texas, Massachusetts, Indiana, North Carolina

eLoop, Pennsylvania

EPC, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas

eSCO Processing and Recycling, Arkansas

Extreme Recycling, Kansas, California

Friendly Earth, Washington

Global Electronic Recycling, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas

Greene Lyon Group, Massachusetts

Hesstech, New Jersey

Hugo Neu Corporation, New York

Metech Recycling, North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, Massachusetts, California, Nebraska

Onsite Electronics Recycling, California

Outback Equipment, California

PlanITROI, New Jersey

Redemtech, Ohio, Nevada, Virginia

ReDirect e-Waste Solutions, California

Sims Recycling Solutions, California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina, Florida

Spectrum eCycle Solutions, Missouri

Surplus Computers, California

TechnoCycle, Texas

Total Reclaim, Washington, Oregon, Alaska

United DataTech, California

Universal Recycling Technologies, Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Texas, Oregon, Indiana

Valley City Environmental Services, Michigan

Vintage Tech Recyclers, Illinois

WeRecycle! New York, Connecticut

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