Congressional E-Waste Hearing Requested

Republican and Democrat ask Science Committee to Hold Hearings

WASHINGTON-Two House members from opposite parties have joined together to call for Congressional hearings on the growing national issue of electronic waste.

Reps. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) today called on the House Science Committee to begin hearings on legislation aimed at stemming the tide of e-waste being generated from obsolete computers and other electronic components that are impacting human health and our environment. Over 3,000 tons of electronics are discarded every day in America with 50 million obsolete computers finding their ways into community landfills per year. If not properly recycled, the large amounts of lead, cadmium and chromium found in e-waste can expose humans and water systems to high levels of carcinogens.

"States have already begun to pass a myriad of laws to address this problem, but there needs to be a comprehensive e-waste reduction program addressed at the federal level," said Cunningham. "Congressman Thompson and I are committed to finding a solution to regulate and reduce e-waste."

"E-Waste is becoming one of our nation's fastest growing environmental and waste concerns," Thompson said. "A Congressional hearing will bring more attention to the issue and allow us to gather expert testimony on the problem. I look forward to working with Congressman Cunningham and our colleagues to find the best possible solution to reduce e-waste."

Thompson and Cunningham have each introduced separate bills to combat e-waste through new recycling efforts. Earlier this year Cunningham introduced the Tax Incentives to Encourage Recycling (TIER) Act (H.R. 320) and Thompson introduced the National Computer Recycling Act (H.R. 425). A copy of the letter they sent to House Science Chair Sherwood Boehlert is below.

March 2, 2005

The Honorable Sherwood L. Boehlert Chairman Committee on Science 2320 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chairman Boehlert:

Over the last two Congresses, we have introduced separate legislation to address the burgeoning problem of electronic waste, or e-waste. Despite the fact that both of our bills take different approaches to address this issue, we believe this problem needs the full attention of Congress. We request that your Committee hold a hearing on the issue of computer recycling and e-waste.

The e-waste that is generated from obsolete computers is fast becoming a serious danger to public health and the environment. Over 3,000 tons of electronics are discarded everyday in our country. Additionally, the average life span of a computer has shrunk from five years to two and approximately 50 million computers are discarded every year. E-waste contains large amounts of documented hazardous materials and carcinogens, including lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated-flame retardants and PVC plastics. We are concerned that until e-waste is properly recycled, its hazardous components will continue to threaten human health and the environment.

Maine and California have already enacted statewide e-waste laws. However, without a national law, a patchwork of different state laws makes it difficult and expensive for manufacturers and retailers to follow them.

With federal regulators slow to implement a comprehensive e-waste reduction program, we feel that your committee's attention is appropriate and necessary. A hearing by your panel is one step in the right direction of addressing our country's e-waste problem. We both would be happy to appear before the Committee in person or to submit a written statement for the record.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to working with you to address this serious concern.

Sincerely,

MIKE THOMPSON
Member of Congress

RANDY "DUKE" CUNNINGHAM
Member of Congress

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