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EPA Commends Governmental Agencies for Environmental Stewardship with Electronics

EP

Environmental Protection, December 30, 2011

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program for encouraging responsible stewardship of electronic devices has welcomed its first three participants from EPA Region 6, which encompasses Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. The University of New Mexico; City of Pharr, Texas; and Travis County, Texas, have committed to responsible operation, maintenance and disposal of electronics through the State Electronics Challenge (SEC).

“Electronic waste presents a huge challenge to the environment. It requires large amounts of resources and energy to produce, and adds hazardous and long-lasting components to our waste stream,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “These newest partners to the SEC are taking responsibility for their electronic waste and helping to protect the environment for everyone.”

The SEC is a voluntary program administered by the Northeast Recycling Council that encourages state, tribal, regional and local governments, schools and other public entities to monitor purchases, operation, maintenance and disposal of electronics. More than 75 government entities in 29 states—representing 110,000 employees—have signed on as partners.

Because state and local governments purchase so much electronic equipment—more than $35 billion annually—they are positioned to provide leadership in making responsible and cost-effective management of these items more common. Organizations can become part of this effort by taking two simple steps: buying computers and other equipment that have registered with EPEAT, an online clearinghouse for green electronics, and using registered electronics recyclers.

To become a partner of the State Electronics Challenge visit: http://www.stateelectronicschallenge.net/