[OKRA] Tell your Representative to support bill on e-waste export

[Traci Phillips]

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Congress introduces landmark bill to stop global e-waste dumping


Good news - yesterday afternoon, Congress introduced H.R. 6252, the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act of 2010. It's a bill that would make it illegal for "recyclers" in the U.S. to send toxic e-waste to developing nations. Please take a minute to <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=LOQE39M%2B1q5kgr%2FBIRUDqtmoftbkFGMA>  urge your Representative to support this important bill. 

This is landmark legislation in that it has bi-partisan sponsorship in the House,  and the support of some key manufacturers, including Dell, Apple, and Samsung, all of whom already have policies of not exporting e-waste to developing nations.

For years, unscrupulous "recyclers" and waste trade brokers have been loading up containers full of e-waste and sending them to developing nations, where the toxics inside end up poisoning workers and communities. "60 Minutes", "Frontline" and many other media outlets have documented the horrible results - workers bashing open TV tubes, melting the lead from circuit boards, and burning plastics, which creates deadly dioxin emissions. All of this happens right next to residential areas, so residents and workers alike are exposed to the toxins.

This bill would stop the flow of toxic e-waste from the U.S. to these countries. It will not prevent tested and working equipment from being exported for reuse. It also does not stop e-waste from being sent to developed countries, which have stronger laws and worker protections to manage the toxics.  We believe that once we close the door on global e-waste dumping, we will see new jobs being created by recyclers who will be doing disassembly, repairs, and processing here in the U.S. 

Please let your Congressional Representative know that you support this bill and urge him or her to do the same. Click <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=LOQE39M%2B1q7fenN9dit%2Bb9moftbkFGMA>  here to use our online tools to send an email today

You can learn more about the legislation  <http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=YMJXWbCiTgU6gwMYJDg759moftbkFGMA> here.

Sincerely,

Barbara Kyle
National Coordinator
Electronics TakeBack Coalition

	

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