SWANA on E-Recycling

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Md., has submitted recommendations on a national electronics recycling policy to the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Washington, D.C. DOC is preparing to submit to Congress a report on a proposed policy.

SWANA's recommendations assert that local governments must be included in developing a national policy, because they are responsible for local collection and disposal. So far, cities and counties have been left out of formal discussions of a policy, according to SWANA. Specific collection methods should not be included in a national policy because no proposal would fit every jurisdiction, SWANA says. The organization also believes that a policy should include strong incentives for manufacturers to produce more recyclable products. To obtain a copy of the comments, call 1-800-GO-SWANA.