The E-Waste Problem and Our Work For Solutions

 

twitter logo Follow ETBC on Twitter


Recycle Your Old Electronics

Wondering what to do with your old computers, notebooks, televisions and printers? To make sure your old electronic equipment is handled responsibly. use an E-Steward.

Click here to find a list of responsible recyclers.


Facts and Figures

book

Looking for statistics on electronic waste? Check our our Facts and Figures on Electronic Waste.


Collection Volumes By State

How much e-waste is coming back under the state mandated programs? This summary includes the first quarter results from the new Washington and Oregon programs.

fact sheet

June 2009 TV Company Recycling Report Card

Some improvements, but many companies still have no recycling programs TV grade

The Electronics TakeBack Coalition’s June 2009 Report Card show some improvements in major TV manufacturers' national programs to take back and recycle their old TVs. But more than half of the 17 companies ranked still get scored a failing "F" grade, because they have no recycling program in place. This includes Vizio, which is now the number 2 seller of flat panel TVs in the US.

See Report Card (on our TV campaign site).


Dell's Announces Strongest Export Policy in Industry

dell logo

Dell has announced the strongest policy on e-waste export in the electronics industry: if a piece of equipment under Dell's control isn't working, Dell won't export it to any developing country. ETBC applauds Dell for its leadership on this critical issue, and hopes Congress will take action to close the door on global e-waste dumping by passing legislation modeled on Dell's policy.

Press release
Press coverage


Take Back My TV Campaign

On June 12, 2009, millions of TVs will become obsolete, when the government-mandated switch from analog to digital TV signal takes effect. We think the TV manufacturers should offer national programs to take back and recycle our TVs. We are having some good success with our TV campaign - already Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba have launched national recycling programs. For more info, check out our TV Campaign website.

Undead Toxic Televisions

The TV Zombies Are On the Loose

TV Zombies have been seen wandering out of landfills and invading communities across the country, oozing toxic green slime, and dragging their old rabbit ears and VCRs behind them. Scientists believe that the TV Zombies are the millions of undead, old-school TVs that consumers threw out, even though they still worked. Replaced by newer, sleeker flat panel TVs, the TV Zombies are out for revenge. Check out our new video about the TV zombies: Revenge of the Return Of The Undead Toxic Televisions Strike Back.

CAMPAIGN NEWS Frontline logo

 

 

PBS' Frontline Covers
E-Waste Export in "Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground"

Watch Frontline coverage


Fake Electronics Recycling in Pittsburgh

Local charities in Pittsburgh, PA were duped by a company claiming to be an electronics recycler. E-waste collected in their fundraiser collection events were exported to Hong Kong and South Africa. The EPA filed an enforcement action for violating federal regulations. More.


Indiana Governor Signs E-Waste Law

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed into law a producer takeback bill on May 13, making this the 18th state to pass a producer takeback law. This was the first bill to pass in 2009. More.


Sony launches in-store drop box service for small electronics.

Sony's program now allows consumers to recycle small electronics (not TVs) at 81 participating retail locations for free. Consumers can drop their old small electronics, regardless of brand, in the GreenFill e-Recycle Drop Box at participating retailers.Read more. See if there is a site near you.


E-Waste Research and Development Act Passes House

Rep. Bart Gordon's (TN) bill to allocate R&D funding aimed at reducing e-waste and promoting recycling has passed the House. More.


60 minutes logo

Following the Trail of Toxic E-Waste 60 Minutes follows America’s toxic electronic waste as it is illegally shipped to become China’s dirty secret. The “Electronic Wasteland” segment features ETBC member, Basel Action Network.