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[GreenYes] TakeBack -- The Solution for Old Electronics
- Subject: [GreenYes] TakeBack -- The Solution for Old Electronics
- From: "Bill Sheehan" <zerowaste@grrn.org>
- Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 09:47:46 -0500
Have a dead computer in the garage, basement or attic?
There's a solution....
PRESS RELEASE
November 27, 2001
Contacts: David Wood, GrassRoots Recycling
Network - 608-270-0940
Ted Smith or Leslie Byster, Silicon Valley
Toxics Coalition - 408-287-6707
NEW COMPUTER REPORT CARD SHOWS
U.S. COMPANIES FAIL ENVIRONMENTAL SCREEN
New national Computer TakeBack Campaign
announced
Madison, WI - In a nationally coordinated
action, groups across the U.S. have joined
together to release the 3rd Annual Computer
Report Card and to launch the Computer TakeBack
Campaign. The Computer Report Card provides
consumers, local governments, and activists
with a tool to measure electronics equipment
and the environmental performance of companies
that produce computers.
The Computer Report Card reveals that US
companies are continuing to lag further behind
their overseas competitors in clean production,
health-related issues and producing
environmentally superior products.
"E-waste (electronic waste) is one of the
fastest growing and most toxic waste streams --
threatening human health and the environment,"
said Ted Smith, Executive Director of the
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and National
Coordinator of the Computer TakeBack Campaign.
In response to this growing environmental
threat, dozens of organizations across the
country have formed the Computer TakeBack
Campaign to promote producer responsibility and
clean production in the personal computer and
consumer electronics industry. The Campaign
provides a forum for consumers and local
governments to voice their concern for an
appropriate, effective solution to the
electronics waste issue.
"Many companies in countries throughout Europe
and Asia are implementing extended producer
responsibility programs in response to
government regulations," said David Wood of the
Grassroots Recycling Network and Organizing
Director of the Computer TakeBack Campaign.
"Having producers assume responsibility for
their products requires them to internalize
costs they now pass on to taxpayers and local
governments. Producer take back requirements
also create a powerful incentive to reduce such
costs by designing products that are cleaner
and safer, more durable and reusable, and
easier to disassemble and recycle."
The Campaign's Report Card reveals several
troubling double standards in the global
production of computers: between countries,
among companies, and even within companies
doing business in different areas of the world.
Over the past year, several environmental and
health initiatives with important impacts on
the high-tech sector have come forth in Europe
and Japan. In stark contrast, there have been
no major initiatives in the U.S.
"Consumers in the US are receiving second-class
treatment from high-tech companies that think
they're first-class global companies," said
David Wood of the GrassRoots Recycling Network.
The Computer Report Card results indicate that
companies maintain disparate practices by
meeting higher standards outside of the U.S.
Yet these same companies do not transfer these
practices back home:
* Since 1989, IBM has offered product take-back
programs in certain European countries free of
charge where required by law. By contrast,
IBM announced a U.S. take-back effort earlier
this year, but charge $29.99 per unit-- a
clear disincentive for consumer participation.
* Apple Computer of Germany provides a take-
back program where customers can return
electronic appliances at no charge due to
legislative requirements, but offer no such
program to US consumers.
* In a similar case, Sony Electronics and other
partners unveiled a limited 5-year program in
October 2000 to collect and recycle electronics
from residential customers in certain parts of
the US. On the other hand, the same company
has a full scale take-back program for computer
monitors in Germany.
* The European Parliament recently voted to
phase out the use of some of the most hazardous
substances in the electronics industry, as has
Japan. As a result, some Japanese companies
offer lead free products or products without
brominated flame retardants. US companies are
lagging well behind.
"Companies in Europe and Asia are detoxifying
their products and taking them back," said
Michael Bender of the Mercury Policy Project.
"The Campaign urges U.S. companies to plug into
Extended Producer Responsibility."
****
The Computer Report Card is being released in
over one dozen metropolitan areas, including
Boston, MA; NY, NY; Washington, DC; Atlanta,
GA; Montpelier, VT, Philadelphia, PA; Madison,
WI; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Austin, TX;
Boulder, CO; Portland, OR, Austin, TX,
Providence, RI; and San Jose, CA.
Founding members of the Computer TakeBack
Campaign include: As You Sow Foundation, Clean
Production Network, Clean Water Action,
Communications Workers of America, GrassRoots
Recycling Network, INFORM, Institute for Local
Self Reliance, Materials for the Future
Foundation, Mercury Policy Project, and
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition. For more
information on the Computer Report Card, the
Campaign Platform and its participants, visit
us on the web at www.svtc.org or www.grrn.org.
The full text of the report is available on-line at
http://www.svtc.org/cleancc/pubs/2001report.htm
###
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