Book Description

Increasingly, U.S. consumers are recycling their old electronics to prevent the environmental harm that can come from disposal. But, some U.S. companies are exporting these items to developing countries, where unsafe recycling practices can cause health and environmental problems. To prevent this practice, since Jan. 2007, the EPA began regulating the export of cathode ray tubes (CRT) under its CRT rule, which requires companies to notify EPA before exporting CRTs. This report examined: (1) the fate of exported used electronics; (2) the effectiveness of regulatory controls over the export of these devices; and (3) options to strengthen federal regulation of exported used electronics. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.