Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	2,070	n/a	n/a
Reported in House	2,609	79	30%
Engrossed in House	2,376	32	16%
Referred in Senate	2,355	5 Show Changes Hide Changes	2%

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HR 1580 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

111th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 1580CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

AN ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development, and demonstration projects, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The volume of electronic devices in the United States is substantial and will continue to grow. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 2 billion computers, televisions, wireless devices, printers, gaming systems, and other devices have been sold since 1980, generating 2 million tons of unwanted electronic devices in 2005 alone.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Electronic devices can be recycled or refurbished to recover and conserve valuable materials, such as gold, copper, and platinum. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 15 to 20 percent of electronic devices discarded from households reach recyclers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The electronic device recycling industry in the United States is growing; however, challenges remain for the recycling of electronic devices by households and other small generators. Collection of such electronic devices is expensive, and separation and proper recycling of some of the materials recovered, like lead from cathode-ray tube televisions, is costly.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The export of unwanted electronic devices to developing countries also presents a serious challenge. The crude methods of many of the recycling operations in these countries can expose workers to harmful chemicals, jeopardizing their health and polluting the environment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Some of the challenges to increasing the recyclability of electronic devices can be addressed by improving the logistics and technology of the collection and recycling process, designing electronic devices to avoid the use of hazardous materials and to be more easily recycled, and encouraging the use of recycled materials in more applications.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The public currently does not take full advantage of existing electronic device recycling opportunities. Studying factors that influence behavior and educating consumers about responsible electronic device recycling could help communities and private industry develop recycling programs that draw more participation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The development of tools and technologies to increase the lifespan of electronic devices and to promote their safe reuse would decrease the impact of the production of electronic devices on the environment and likely increase the recyclability of such devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) Accurately assessing the environmental impacts of the production of electronic devices and the recycling of such devices is a complex task. Data, tools, and methods to better quantify these impacts would help policymakers and others determine the best end-of-life management options for electronic devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. ELECTRONIC DEVICE ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

(a) In General- The Administrator shall award multiyear grants to consortia to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices and, through the conduct of this research, to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling. The grants awarded under this section shall support research to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) increase the efficiency of and improve electronic device collection and recycling;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) expand the uses and applications for materials recovered from electronic devices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) develop and demonstrate environmentally friendly alternatives to the use of hazardous and potentially hazardous materials in electronic devices and the production of such devices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) develop methods to identify, separate, and remove hazardous and potentially hazardous materials from electronic devices and to reuse, recycle, or dispose of such materials in a safe manner;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) reconsider product design and assembly to facilitate and improve refurbishment, reuse, and recycling of electronic devices, including an emphasis on design for recycling;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) conduct lifecycle analyses of electronic devices, including developing tools and methods to assess the environmental impacts of the production, use, and end-of-life management of electronic devices and electronic device components;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) develop product design, tools, and techniques to extend the lifecycle of electronic devices, including methods to promote their upgrade and safe reuse; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) identify the social, behavioral, and economic barriers to recycling and reuse for electronic devices and develop strategies to increase awareness, consumer acceptance, and the practice of responsible recycling and reuse for such devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Merit Review; Competition- Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Applications- A consortium shall submit an application for a grant under this section to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Administrator may require. The application shall include a description of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the research project that will be undertaken by the consortium and the contributions of each of the participating entities, including the for-profit entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the applicability of the project to reduce impediments to electronic device recycling in the electronic device design, manufacturing, refurbishing, or recycling industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the potential for and feasibility of incorporating the research results into industry practice; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) how the project will promote collaboration among scientists and engineers from different disciplines, such as electrical engineering, materials science, and social science.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Dissemination of Research Results- Research results shall be made publicly available through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) development of best practices or training materials for use in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) dissemination at conferences affiliated with such industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) publication on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) demonstration projects; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) educational materials for the public produced in conjunction with State governments, local governments, or nonprofit organizations on problems and solutions related to electronic device recycling and reuse.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Funding Contribution From For-Profit Member of Consortium- The for-profit entity participating in the consortium shall contribute at least 10 percent of the total research project cost, either directly or with in-kind contributions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Protection of Proprietary Information- The Administrator--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) shall not disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets provided by any person or entity pursuant to this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) shall ensure that, as a condition of receipt of a grant under this section, each member of the consortium has in place proper protections to maintain proprietary information or trade secrets contributed by other members of the consortium; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) if any member of the consortium breaches the conditions under paragraph (2) or discloses proprietary information or trade secrets, may require the return of any funds received under this section by such member.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Biennial Report- Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit a report to Congress that provides--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) a list of the grants awarded under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the entities participating in each consortium receiving a grant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) a description of the research projects carried out in whole or in part with funds made available under such a grant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the results of such research projects; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) a description of the rate and success of the adoption or integration of such research results into the manufacturing processes, management practices, and products of the electronics industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REPORT ON ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING.

(a) In General- In order to better recognize gaps and opportunities in the research and training programs established in this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a report, to be transmitted to Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) opportunities for and barriers to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) increasing the recyclability of electronic devices, specifically addressing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) recycling or safe disposal of electronic devices and low value materials recovered from such devices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) designing electronic devices to facilitate reuse and recycling; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the reuse of electronic devices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) making electronic devices safer and more environmentally friendly, specifically addressing reducing the use of hazardous materials and potentially hazardous materials in electronic devices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the environmental and human health risks posed by the storage, transport, recycling, and disposal of unwanted electronic devices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) any regulatory or statutory barriers that may prevent the adoption or implementation of best management practices or technological innovations that may arise from the research and training programs established in this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Recommendations- The report under subsection (a) shall identify gaps in the current research and training programs in addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to electronic device recycling, and the report shall recommend areas where additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. ENGINEERING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

(a) Grant Program- The Administrator, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall award grants to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) for the training of electrical, mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, materials, and software engineers and other students at the undergraduate and graduate level; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Eligible Entities- The term ‘institution of higher education’, as such term is used with respect to eligibility to receive a grant under subsection (a)(2), includes any institution of higher education under section 101(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(b)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Outreach to Minority Serving Institutions- The Administrator shall conduct outreach to minority serving institutions for the purposes of providing information on the grants available under this section and how to apply for such grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Merit Review; Competition- Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Use of Funds- Grants awarded under this section shall be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution of higher education to broaden the undergraduate and graduate-level engineering curriculum or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product lifecycles related to electronic devices and increasing the recyclability of such devices. Activities may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) developing and revising curriculum to include multidisciplinary elements;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) creating research and internship opportunities for students through partnerships with industry, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) creating and establishing certificate programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) developing curricula for short courses and continuing education for professionals in the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Application- An institution of higher education seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, and with such information and assurances as the Administrator may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $5,150,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $5,304,000 for fiscal year 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS PHYSICAL PROPERTY DATABASE.

(a) In General- The Director shall establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Priorities- The Director, working with the electronic device design, manufacturing, or recycling industries, shall develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and the physical property characterization requirements for the database described in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONSORTIUM- The term ‘consortium’ means a grant applicant or recipient under section 3(a) that includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) at least one institution of higher education, nonprofit research institution, or government laboratory; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) at least one for-profit entity, including a manufacturer, designer, refurbisher, or recycler of electronic devices or the components of such devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DIRECTOR- The term ‘Director’ means the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) ELECTRONIC DEVICE- The term ‘electronic device’ may include computers, computer monitors, televisions, laptops, printers, wireless devices, copiers, fax machines, stereos, video gaming systems, and the components of such devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION- The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION- The term ‘minority serving institution’ means an institution that is an eligible institution under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives April 22, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1580

AN ACT

To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development, and demonstration projects, and for other purposes LORRAINE C. MILLER, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink