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Electronics
Electronics Topics
Federal Programs
EPA is engaged in the following activities:Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 3 | Other Federal Activity
Goal 1: Foster environmentally conscious design and manufacturing
Electronic Products
Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) 
- an environmental procurement
tool designed to help institutional purchasers in the public and private
sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computer, notebook computers
and monitors based on their environmental attributes.
GreenBlue eDesign Competition
- challenges participants to rethink the design of electronic products,
and the design system for recovering and recycling the materials at the
end of life.
Design for the Environment (DfE) - one of EPA's premier partnership programs, is currently evaluating lead-free solder options and previously examined more environmental friendly designed computer displays and printed wiring boards.
Goal 2: Increase purchasing and use of more environmentally sustainable electronic products
Federal
Electronics Challenge - a voluntary partnership program that encourages
federal facilities and agencies to
- Purchase greener electronic products
- Reduce impacts of electronic products during use
- Manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way
Goal 3: Increase safe, environmentally sound reuse and recycling of used electronics
Plug-In To eCycling - a consumer electronics campaign working to increase the number of electronic devices collected and safely recycled in the United States. Plug-In To eCycling is one component of EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC), a national effort to find flexible, yet more protective ways to conserve our valuable resources. Plug-In To eCycling’s campaign included industry-led pilot programs in Summer 2004.
EPA's Guidelines for Materials Management - guidelines to encourage those who handle used electronic equipment to maximize reuse, refurbishment, and recycling rather than disposal of obsolete electronics and to ensure that facilities follow best management practices that are consistent with these guidelines.
Mid-Atlantic eCycling Pilot Project - industry, state and local governments, and EPA Region 3, collaborated to demonstrate the feasibility of a multi-state, public/private residential electronics collection, reuse, and recycling model that is based on shared responsibility.
Cathode Ray Tubes and Mercury-Containing Rule - EPA proposed a rule to streamline the hazardous waste management process.
Recycling Electronics and
Asset Disposition (READ) contract (MSWORD DOC) - a contract being
used by EPA to promote and advance the disposition, reclamation, reuse,
and recycling of electronic assets held throughout the Federal sector.
Other Federal Activity:
Department of Commerce, Technology
Administration - working with stakeholders to discuss electronics
recycling.
Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
- established in 1993 by Executive Order to promote sustainable environmental
stewardship throughout the federal government.