S 1397 IS

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

July 6, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. MERKLEY, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksCommentsClose 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:(1) Tat-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the volume of electronic devices in the United States is substantial and will continue to grow. Tincrease; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 2 billionmore than 2,000,000,000 computers, televisions, wireless devices, printers, gaming systems, and other devices have been sold since 1980, generating 2 million,000,000 tons of unwanted electronic devices in 2005 alone.(2) Electronic devices ; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) electronic devices can be recycled or refurbished to recover and conserve valuable materials, such as gold, copper, and platinum. However, but, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 15 to 20 percent of electronic devices discarded from households reach recyclers.(3) T; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the electronic device recycling industry in the United States is growing; however,, but challenges remain for the recycling of electronic devices by households and other small generators. Collection of such; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) collection of those electronic devices is expensive, and separation and proper recycling of some of the materials recovered, likesuch as lead from cathode-ray tube televisions, is costly.(4) T; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) the export of unwanted electronic devices to developing countries also presents a serious challenge. T; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) the crude methods of many of the recycling operations in theose countries can expose workers to harmful chemicals, jeopardizing their health health of the workers and polluting the environment.(5) S; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) some of the challenges to increasing the recyclability of electronic devices can be addressed by-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) improving the logistics and technology of the collection and recycling process,; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) designing electronic devices to avoid the use of hazardous materials and to be more easily recycled, and; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) encouraging the use of recycled materials in more applications.(6) T; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) the public currently does not take full advantage of existing electronic device recycling opportunities. S; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) 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.(7) T; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) the development of tools and technologies to increase the lifespan of electronic devices and to promote their safe reuse of those devices would decrease the impact of the production of electronic devices on the environment and likely increase the recyclability of such devices.(8) Accurately assessing the environmental those devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) accurately assessing the environmental impacts of the production of electronic devices and the recycling of suchthose devices is a complex task. D; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) data, tools, and methods to better quantify theose impacts would help policymakers and others determine the best end-of-life management options for electronic devices. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

SEC. 4. ELECTRONIC DEVICE ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) In GeneralGrant Program- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator shall award multiyear grants to consortiaprovide multiyear grants to consortia-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices and,; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) through the conduct of thisat research, to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





The grants awar(2) TYPES OF RESEARCH- The grants provided under this section shall support research to--(1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to provide data and information on-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) effects, human exposures, environmental releases, and recycling and disposal processes; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) changes to manufacturing and other processes, such as refurbishing and recycling, to reduce-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) adverse human health and environmental impacts; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) the volume of unwanted electronic devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





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





(3)D) to develop and demonstrate environmentally friendlypreferable alternatives to the use of hazardous andtoxic, hazardous, potentially hazardous, or scarce materials in electronic devices and the production of such devices;(4)those devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(5) reconsiderF) to modify 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)G) to 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)H) to develop product design, tools, and techniques to extend the lifecycle of electronic devices, including methods to promote their upgrade and safe reuse; and(8) of those devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) to 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 suchthose devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) to characterize environmental releases from electronic device recycling processes, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) evaluating dermal or inhalation exposure to dusts or fumes from shredding, disassembly, or thermal processes; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) investigating appropriate control or mitigation processes; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) to assess exposure risks, and develop control and strategies to mitigate contaminant releases, from disposal of electronic devices and recycling residuals, such as landfill leachate, smelter emissions, and smelter residues that pose human health and environmental risks; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) to evaluate alternative materials and management processes that would reduce toxics use, extend product life, and enhance recycling of electronic devices over disposal; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) to quantify the environmental benefits of making the purchase, use, and end-of-life management of electronic devices more environmentally preferable, including improved designs to enhance the reuse and recyclability of new electronic devices through research on materials and life cycle impacts; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(N) to characterize the flow of unwanted electronic devices in global commerce, including identifying-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) specific hazardous materials and the products that contain the materials; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the ultimate destinations of those materials through reuse, disposal, or incorporation in new products; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(O) to develop methods to discourage exports to countries with unsafe recycling practices of recyclable materials from electronic devices that could be processed into usable commodities in the United States or in North America, including identifying-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) what kind of additional, specialized capacity is needed; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) existing barriers to the development of that capacity; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) options for overcoming those barriers; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(P) to assess-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) current recovery rates for precious and critical metals in various processing regimes, such as manual disassembly, shredding of whole or partially dismantled electronic devices, and smelting; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) how to optimize the recovery of precious metals and critical metals in the recycling of discarded electronic devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(Q) to track quantities of specific elements and substances used in electronic devices over time; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(R) to determine current and predicted quantities and types of electronic devices used, stored, generated, collected for recycling, exported, and disposed to quantify and analyze the flow of electronic devices from the point of sale to the end of life of the devices. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(c) Applications- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





A(1) IN GENERAL- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a consortium shall submit an application for a grant under this section to the Administrator the grant to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Administrator may require. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENTS- The application shall include a description of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1A) 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





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





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





(4D) 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) publication on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(2)3) the dissemination at conferences affiliated with such industries;(3) publication on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Web sitethose industries; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) demonstration projects; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(e) Funding Contribution From For-Profit Member of Consortium- To be eligible for a grant under this section, the for-profit entity participating in the consortium shall contribute at least 10 percent of the total research project cost, either directly or withthrough the provision of 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; and CommentsClose 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 suchthe member. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Biennial Report- WithiNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit a report to Congress until Congress does not provide funds to carry out this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that provides-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(2) a list of the grants awarded under this section;(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 those research projects; and CommentsClose 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.(2) 1; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.2; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 20123. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 45. ELECTRONIC DEVICE ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.

SEC. 6. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REPORT ON ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING.

(a) In General- In order to better recognizeidentify gaps and opportunities in the research and training programs established inunder this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a report, to be transmitted to CongressAcademy under which the Academy shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, complete and submit to Congress a report 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 suchthose devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(iii) the reuse of electronic devices; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) making electronic devices safer and more environmentally friendlypreferable, 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; andthose devices; CommentsClose 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 Actunder this Act; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) the direct and indirect economic and domestic employment impacts associated with recycling and harvesting materials from unwanted electronic devices in lieu of the disposal of those devices directly in landfills. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Recommendations- The report under subsection (a) shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) 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; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) recommend areas wherein which additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 57. ENGINEERING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

(a) Grant Program- The Administrator, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall awardprovide 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 levels; and CommentsClose 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)).(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.(d-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the grants available under this section; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the application process for those grants. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(ed) Use of Funds- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Grants awarprovided 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-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product lifecycles related to electronic devices and increasing the recyclability of such devices. Activitiesing to electronic devices; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to increase the recyclability of those devices. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INCLUDED ACTIVITIES- Activities carried out using funds from a grant may include-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





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





(3C) creating and establishing certificate programs; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(e) 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





(gf) 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.(2) 1; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $5,150,000 for fiscal year 2011.2; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $5,304,000 for fiscal year 20123. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 68. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLYPREFERABLE ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS PHYSICAL PROPERTY DATABASE.

(a) In General- The Director shall establish an initiative toEstablishment- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials forpreferable alternative materials, design features, and manufacturing practices for use in electronic devices. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b)2) CONSULTATION- In developing the database under this section, the Director shall consult with the Administrator regarding the environmental preferability of the materials, design features, and manufacturing processes to be contained in the database. 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) Other Matters- The Director may expand the database to include information on the environmental impacts of various materials, design features, and manufacturing practices used in electronic devices from a lifecycle standpoint. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Annual Updates- The Director shall update the database not less than annually. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.(2) 1; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.2; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes of this Act:

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

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

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

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

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

(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.

(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)).

(6) MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION- The term ‘minority serving institution’ means an institution that is an eligible institution under section 371(a)3. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To authorize the Administrator of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development, and demonstration projects, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink