Thursday, May 28, 2009

Export Bill Faces Unlikely Opponents

A bill to restrict the export of potentially hazardous electronic waste was introduced by Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) on May 22nd, but is already facing some unlikely opposition. Several environmental watchdog agencies have pounced on House Resolution 2595, claiming the measure contains significant loopholes that would undermine current efforts by companies, such as Dell, to manage e-scrap responsibly.

"The idea was originally to ban e-waste exports," said Electronics TakeBack Coalition National Coordinator Barbara Kyle. "We want Congress to act on this issue, but this bill contains a big loophole that allows for items to be exported for repair and refurbishment."

Developing countries heavily rely on used and refurbished computer and IT equipment for their economic, educational and medical needs; however, repeated instances of non-working and waste electronics being exported under a dubious refurbishability claims have soured many in the environmental community on the practice.

"Of course we're in favor of re-use and refurbishment," explained Kyle, "but we'd like to see a bill that supports it in the U.S. It would be a way to provide good jobs for Americans and ensure that countries get the working units they need."

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Source: E-Scrap News, May 27th, 2009

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

EPA Released First Energy Star Requirements for Servers

May 18 -- The U.S. EPA has unveiled its first Energy Star requirements for computer servers.

The new standards are designed to protect the environment and result in significant energy savings, according to the agency. On average, computer servers that earn the Energy Star label will be 30 percent more energy efficient than standard servers.

If all servers sold in the United States meet this new specification, energy cost savings would grow to $800 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from more 1 million vehicles, according to the EPA.

Computer servers that earn the Energy Star label will include: efficient power supplies; improved power quality, capabilities to measure real time power use, processor utilization, and air temperature; advanced power management features to save energy, and a power and performance data sheet for purchasers that standardizes key information on energy performance, features and other capabilities.

More information on the new specification and all EPA’s data center initiatives is available at www.energystar.gov/datacenters.

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Source: Waste & Recycling News, May 18th, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

San Francisco Achieves 72% Recycling Rate in 2007

May 13 -- San Francisco achieved the nation´s highest recycling rate at 72% in 2007, according to Mayor Gavin Newsom.

The city has a goal of 75% landfill diversion by 2010 and said a construction and demolition debris recycling ordinance passed in 2006 is helping push the percentages higher each year, the city said.

"By requiring builders to recycle debris from construction projects, we were able to divert tens of thousands of new tons of material away from the landfill," Newsom said. "Clearly, mandatory recycling measures pay off."

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Source: Waste and Recycling News, May 14th, 2009

Monday, May 11, 2009

Administration Increases EPA´s Budget by 34% for 2010

May 8 -- The Obama administration´s proposed budget for fiscal year 2010 includes $10.5 billion in funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, a 34% increase compared with 2009 funding. The agency is receiving $7.8 billion for the current fiscal year.

More than one-third of the 2010 budget -- $3.9 billion -- would go toward improving the nation´s water and wastewater infrastructure, according to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, who discussed the budget during a telephone news conference May 7.

The budget also would allocate $475 million for the multi-agency Great Lakes Initiative to protect and clean up the lakes and control invasive species.

The EPA would receive $17 million for creating a greenhouse gas registry, a first step toward limiting emissions of the gases. The agency will receive an additional $2 million to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions.

The Superfund program would receive $1.3 billion to increase the number of hazardous waste sites eligible for cleanup. Also, beginning in 2011, the federal government plans to reinstate the Superfund tax on businesses. The ax would generate $1 billion of revenue a year, rising to $2 billion a year by 2019, Jackson said.

The budget also proposes $175 million for the brownfields program.

And the EP plans to have enough money to hire 30 additional enforcement staff members in the EPA´s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance program.

"EPA´s new budget reflects the president´s commitment to growing a clean energy economy while protecting human health and the environment," Jackson said.

Details about President Obama´s proposed fiscal year 2010 EPA budget -- which will next go to Congress -- is available online at www.epa.gov/budget.

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Source: Waste & Recycling News, May 11, 2009

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Raident Technology, Inc. Passed ISO 9001 & 14001 Certification Audit


http://www.pr.com/press-release/148974

Since passing ISO Quality and Environmental standards, Raident has improved its quality of operations.

Fremont, CA, May 01, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Raident Technology, Inc. has passed ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification audit in April of 2009 through ABS Quality Evaluations. Raident will now only be using the ISO standard in managing its Quality (QMS) and Environmental (EMS) systems/operations.

Passing the ISO 9001, Raident Technology was able to improve the quality of its operations by making all external and internal processes more transparent. All the quality related documentation such as procedures, forms, work instructions, and other documents are approved prior to their use.

Raident’s ISO Manager, Natalia Kleschevnikova, feels that “Raident Technology is moving in the correct direction. Raident will be able to achieve all its business goals and targets through excellent customer service and continuous improvement in QMS and EMS. Raident will always promote employee training to make sure they’re qualified to do their jobs.”

ISO 14001 improved Raident’s Environmental operations. Environmental objectives and targets were set to track continuous improvement. Special environmental procedures were also developed and integrated into Raident’s operations to make it more applicable to the asset recovery industry, Raident’s clients, and future prospects. EMS will also help control environmental impact and track environmental performance.

President and CEO of Raident Technology, Albert Lozano, acknowledged, “the hard work everyone at Raident has put in to pass ISO certification. It really shows everyone’s dedication at Raident” and continued to say that “Raident is thankful to all its employees, management, and auditors that ISO audits went well.”

About Raident Technology, Inc.
From its corporate headquarters in Silicon Valley, Raident Technology was founded to deliver value-added asset management, asset recovery and electronic eWaste recycling solutions. Raident is on a fast-track growth strategy to expand its processing capacity, by both organic means and acquisitions, and to establish a leading position in the global market. It is a member of key industry groups and committed to protecting the environment while providing high-quality, customer specific services. In a fragmented market crowded with small, unsophisticated operations, Raident remains a trusted and respected resource.

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Contact Information
Raident Technology, Inc.
Natalia Kleschevnikova
(510) 656-3622 x 109
natalia@raident.com
www.raident.com
www.raident.blogspot.com