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WASHINGTON – Federal legislation that would restrict exports of electronic waste from the US to developing countries could create as many as 42,000 direct and indirect new jobs, with a total payroll of more than $1 billion, says the Coalition for American Electronics Recycling.

Federal legislation known as the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act was introduced in the last session of Congress, and will be reintroduced this session. The bill would restrict exports of untested and non-working e-waste from the US to developing countries, although it would still allow free trade of tested and working used electronics being exported for reuse.

The legislation is supported by major electronics manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Apple, Samsung, and Best Buy, as well as by CAER, which represents 82 US companies that operate 158 electronics recycling and disposition facilities operating in 34 states.

A study was conducted by DSM Environmental Services. It found that processing e-waste in the US instead of exporting it to developing countries would create 21,000 full-time equivalent recycling jobs with a corresponding payroll of $772 million.

It has the potential to create another 21,000 indirect jobs. These jobs numbers will increase further as e-waste volumes rise in the years ahead, says CAER. The US EPA estimates that e-waste is growing two to three times faster than any other portion of the waste stream, fueled by the continued proliferation of electronic devices.

The full study is available at www.americanerecycling.org/images/CAER_Jobs_Study_Report.

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