International Electronics Reuse and Recycling Symposium

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) June 9, 2007

The world isn't flat. It's a funnel, channeling into Orlando, Florida.

On Monday, June 11, 2007 the World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association will host a dinner to discuss fair trade standards for electronics exports from the USA to Asia, Africa, the Mid-East, and Latin America.

Robin Ingenthron (president, WR3A) expects a strong turnout for the event. VIPs and experts in recycling include (but not limited to) CEOs, environmental organizations, and regulators. Featured attendees include:

•     Timothy Anderson, CEO World Computer Exchange (WCE)
•     Sarah Westervelt Basel Action Network (BAN)
•     Colin Davis, World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (WR3A)
•     Clare Lindsey, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
•     Ming Ze Feng, Phoenix Trading International (China - USA)
•     Hamdy Mousa, CEO Medi-Com (Egypt)
•     Souleymane Sao, CEO PC Point (USA-Senegal)
•     Allen Liu, CEO NetPeripheral Inc. (Malaysia)
•     Ferris Segovia, CEO Monitex (Thailand-USA)
•     Paul Roszel, CEO Recycle.net (Canada)
•     Brian Taylor, Editor (Recycling Today magazine)
•     Ray Moureau, Southeast Waste Exchange (USA)
•     Oscar Orta, Retroworks de Mexico (Mexico - USA)
•     Eric Harris, Institute Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI)

A range of USA computer recyclers are expected, some which export most of their products, and some of which have signed a Pledge not to.

Among the questions to be raised at the meeting:

• Are CRTs on the verge of extinction? Does the energy savings from newer LCD monitors make CRT donations a curse as well as a blessing?
• Without used computers, can developing nations hope to increase participation in the digital economy? Who would pay the cost of "leapfrogging" CRT technology?
• With the worst repair rates in the world, shortest user lifecycles, no domestic CRT manufacturing, and rampant disposal of working equipment, is the USA in a position to lecture entrepreneurs in developing nations who seek to cross the "digital divide"?
• Are donations of working computers being used as an excuse to send "toxics along for the ride", or a fig leaf for dumping toxic trash?
• Is "tested working" a safe standard, or an excuse to export obsolete Pentium 1s or 15 year old monitors? Do the higher prices paid for non-working equipment (like repairable LCDs, or Pentium 4s missing hard drives) mean they are more likely to be reused?
• Are used computers a commodity or a waste?
• What environmental benefits are achieved through decreased mining and increased internet access?
• Is domestic recycling being silently supported a by "planned obsolescence" agenda? Why does California law require CRTs to be ruined prior to export?

According to Ingenthron, WR3A wants to move the business of recycling forward. 'We strongly challenge to the two extremes in this debate. Developing countries have millions of able technicians creating a stable economy, jobs, and closing the digital divide.

"But USA companies who refuse to carefully screen their loads threaten to unleash a tidal wave of obsolete televisions and CRTs between the cracks of this legitmate economy."

WR3A has invited a range of USA recyclers with a range of positions on exports. WR3A is drafting purchase orders for the export market, using strict rules, to reform the standards of the reuse and recycling market.

WR3A's model is "fair trade coffee". WR3A issues purchase orders and contracts to help the overseas recycling trade become cleaner and more sustainable. WR3A members include colleges and universities which have agreed to contract with recyclers who use WR3A export standards.

The conference will be held in Orlando at Recycling Today's Paper, Plastics and Electronics recycling conference. Visit http://www.wr3a.org for details.

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