Chris Rodinis
March 23rd, 2012
blog.ewastewiz.com
http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/127503
E-waste Accountability for All
A very important announcement was made this week by the GSA. The GSA, or U.S General Services Agency is a procurement arm of the federal government providing goods and services. The announcement mandated new rules forbidding every federal agency from dumping end of life electronic equipment into landfills here or abroad. These new measures will guarantee all federal agencies will lead the way in e-cycling and assure entire inventories of end of life electronics will be properly reused or recycled.
Fortunately for private enterprises in the electronics recycling or e-cycling business, this policy mandates the feds use certified recycling companies. Some of the certifications the agencies will look for are ISO, E-steward, R-2, OSHA, and NAID. Of course, this makes for more favorable conditions in creating more jobs in e-cycling end of life technology.
GSA Mandates Reuse First, Recycle Second
Each department IT asset manager will be responsible for the goal of reuse first. Reuse is the ideal way to recycle because that creates less waste, less pollution, and less carbon emissions.
Each IT asset manager should have a plan and a forecast for the department’s end of life electronic equipment.
Ideally, the used computers will be distributed to local or state governments, public schools or other federal agencies. Or, managers can contract with certified recycling companies in the asset recovery process which could possibly, by way of cash back transactions, put money back into the IT budget.
Statistically, no other entity uses more electronics than the U.S. Government. This new policy is a positive sign for the environment, the health of workers, and the economy that the feds are taking responsibility for their e-waste.
These new rules clearly state to other agencies that they absolutely must find a way to re-use the used computers and if not, then process them with a certified electronics recycler.
All agencies must know: if reuse cannot be realized, then end of life computers must be processed with certified e-waste collectors, processors and transporters. Also clearly stated is a “zero landfill use” policy. The priority is to reuse, and if not, then under no circumstances will the e-waste end up in a landfill.
A very interesting fact to note is that when the new owners take possession of the used computers they will take on another responsibility too. That is the government is asking the new owners to recycle responsibly when the time finally comes.
National Strategy on Electronic Stewardship
The National Strategy on Electronic Stewardship was designed in 2009 by President Obama to create sustainability objectives for our countries economic, energy and environmental performance. The message communicated this week is the first step in putting the rules out for every federal agency. In coordination with the EPA, the GSA is in charge of policy making for all agencies concerning recycling responsibly
Importantly, the new rules instill accountability and downstream transparency with metrics. Each agency will be required to measure the amount of end of life technology being recycled or reused and to know the ultimate destination of the e-waste to ensure compliance.
The GSA is to make this information public by annually reporting online using www.Data.gov.
Because of the toxic substances and hazardous waste contained in electronic devices they have to be recycled in accordance with the law to protect the public, workers and the environment. For responsible recycling, you are welcome to contact www.EwasteWiz.com