ELECTRONICS RECYCLING COLLABORATION NETWORK (ERCN)

 

PURPOSE:

To foster and facilitate collaboration among organizations supporting the development of an effective and efficient infrastructure for the recycling and reuse of end-of-life electronic products.

 

BACKGROUND:

Electronics recycling is an emerging industry that is at a critical point in its development, in terms of growth and challenges. As the production and use of electronics products continues to increase dramatically throughout both the business and public sectors, the challenges of disposal and recovery of materials are becoming significant.

There are a number of organizations that represent a variety of constituencies involved and interested in the disposition of end-of-life electronics. Each has developed and pursued projects and programs to address the issues and needs. Extremely important work has been accomplished in industry, academia, Federal and State government agencies and the organizations that are members of the ERCN in the development, reuse, demanufacturing, and recycling of electronic equipment. The scope of this problem, however, now dictates a more collaborative effort focused on common objectives.

 

GOAL AND OBJECTIVES:

      The members of the ERCN collaboratively seek to reduce the environmental impact of electronic equipment use and disposal through continuous improvements to the reuse, demanufacturing, and recycling of surplus electronic equipment as well as the design of new electronic equipment. In support of this goal, the members of the ERCN agree to work together, within the limits of their respective authorities, policies, and without entering in a contractual relationship, on the following objectives:

1.      Encourage growth of the infrastructure for the reuse, demanufacturing, recycling of obsolete equipment.

2.      Promote the implementation of best life cycle management practices for electronic equipment and share identified best practices with those within and outside the ERCN.

3.      Strive for "zero waste" in the disposition of electronic equipment and associated packaging material.

4.      Make sure that the ERCN’s work has scientific underpinning.

5.      Coordinate and cooperate on other public and private sector efforts aimed at achieving similar objectives.

 

BENEFITS:

By working together, the members of the ERCN create the opportunity to achieve the objectives by:

·        Minimizing or avoiding duplication of effort.

·        Leveraging collective resources.

·        Fostering cooperation and partnering.

·        Facilitating structure and communication of activities and opportunities

·        Building on the SUMMIT Focus Areas –

–        Information, Communication & Education

–        Electronics Recycling Business Modeling

–        Regulatory Issues

–        Research & Development

–        Best Practices in Electronics Recycling

 

ERCN ORGANIZATIONS – with links to their web sites                                                            

·        International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER)

·        Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI)

·        American Plastics Council (APC)

·        Polymer Alliance Zone (PAZ)                                

·        Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

·        InterNational Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI)

·        National Recycling Coalition (NRC)                       

·        White House Office of the Environmental Executive (OFEE)

·        US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

·        Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA)

·            National Center for Electronics Recycling (NCER)

 

 

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