Sen. Carper Applauds Administration’s Unveiling of Federal Strategy to Promote U.S.-based Electronics Recycling

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Co-Chair of the Senate Recycling Caucus and as Chair of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, saluted the Obama Administration’s “National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship” – a strategy for the responsible electronic design, purchasing, management and recycling that will promote the burgeoning electronics recycling market and jobs of the future here in the United States. The program, announced today, includes the first voluntary commitments made by Dell Inc., Sprint and Sony to EPA’s industry partnership aimed at promoting environmentally sound management of used electronics. The entities agreed to encourage certified recycling, protect public health, and support best practices in electronics stewardship.

“As the largest purchaser of consumer goods in our country, the Federal government has an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure that it procures electronics in the safest, smartest way possible,” said Sen. Carper. “The Obama Administration’s announcement today of a ‘National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship’ leverages the purchasing power of the Federal government to support responsible purchasing, management and recycling of electronics within the Federal government.

“Through this initiative, the Federal government will work to promote the development of more efficient and sustainable electronic products; direct Federal agencies to buy, use, reuse and recycle their electronics responsibly; support recycling options and systems for American consumers; and, strengthen America’s role in the international electronics stewardship arena. As Co-Chair of the Senate Recycling Caucus and as Chair of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, I warmly welcome the Administration’s move to bolster electronics recycling and believe it will help not only our environment but also our economy along the way.”

The Administration’s strategy also commits the federal government to take specific actions that will encourage the more environmentally friendly design of electronic products, promote recycling of used or discarded electronics, and advance a domestic market for electronics recycling that will protect public health and create jobs.

More information on the EPA and industry collaboration:
http://www.epa.gov/electronicsstrategy

More information on GSA’s electronic stewardship goals and promoting federal agencies’ purchasing Environmentally Preferable Products:
www.gsa.gov/portal/content/187053

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