Improved Information Could Better Enable EPA to Manage Electronic Waste and Enforce Regulations - U S Environmental Protection Agency - Bog

EPA does not have adequate information to ensure effective E-waste management and enforcement to protect public health and conserve valuable resources. For example, EPA manages E-waste without a consistent approach for defining E-waste. This hampers EPA's ability to effectively collect relevant information and set goals. Further, EPA lacks complete information on E-waste disposition, which hinders the effective use of its resources. EPA enforcement is hampered by the lack of complete information on cathode ray tube (CRT) exporters in the United States. This incomplete information hinders EPA's ability to set enforcement targets for the CRT Rule. EPA also does not have a practical process to determine the hazardous nature of non-CRT waste. Potentially toxic E-waste could be disposed in municipal landfills or incinerated without potential hazards being identified as required. Further, EPA advocates certified E-waste recyclers but has limited knowledge of the extent of compliance by certified recyclers with federal environmental regulations. In addition, EPA staff stated that E-waste management and enforcement are hampered by federal information collection restrictions and a lack of resources.