New EPA Guidelines for Electronics Recycling Operations

The U.S. EPA has developed a new guide for electronics recyclers on how to run safe and environmentally protective recycling operations.

The agency developed the ·Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclersö to promote better environmental, worker safety, and public health practices for electronics recyclers.

The R2 guide lists 13 principles to help electronics recyclers ensure their material is handled safely and legally in the U.S. and foreign countries, according to the EPA. It calls on recyclers to establish a management system for environmental and worker safety, develop a policy that promotes reuse and material recovery over landfill or incineration, and use practices that reduce exposures or emissions during recycling operations. The principles also call for recyclers to use diligence to assure appropriate management of materials throughout the recycling chain, including materials that are exported to foreign countries.

Details are available at: www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/r2practices.htm

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Source: Waste News, Oct. 31, 2008