The Coalition for American Electronics Recycling (CAER) says Sims Recycling Solutions has joined the industry effort to support federal legislation that will restrict export of toxic electronic waste (e-waste) from the U.S. and spur creation of tens of thousands of jobs through expansion of the domestic recycling industry.

In the House of Representatives, 13 co-sponsors have announced support for the bill, including six Republicans and seven Democrats. According to a CAER press release, Apple supports the bill.

With the addition of Sims Recycling Solutions, the largest e-recycling company in the world, CAER now includes 34 U.S. companies with 89 facilities involved in all aspects of the domestic electronics recycling and disposition industry, with operations in 32 states as well as the District of Columbia. Also supporting the legislation are Apple, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Samsung, Best Buy and LG.

John Shegerian, co-founder and president, Electronic Recyclers International says the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (HR 2284/SB1270) — introduced in June — would restrict toxic e-waste exports to developing countries that lack adequate safeguards for the environment and workers. There is growing bi-partisan support for the bill as additional co-sponsors have joined the bill in recent weeks. 

To support Representative Gene Green (D-TX), the lead House sponsor of the bill, 13 co-sponsors now include: Mike Thompson (D-CA), Lee Terry (R-NE), Steve LaTourette (R-OH), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Blake Farenthold (R-TX), Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dennis Ross (R-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). In the Senate, similar legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

CAER’s emergence represents a major split in the recycling industry regarding e-waste exports. The industry’s primary trade association, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), has long opposed restrictions on e-waste exports. For more information about HR 2284/SB1270, visit the CAER website (http://www.americanerecycling.org/aboutthebills.html), which includes links to the full text of each bill.

— Dennis Sellers