In a recent article on Greener Computing‘s blog titled, E-Waste Pops Back Onto the Nation’s Radar, author Matthew Wheeland notes the recent rise in e-waste news across the globe.

The article mentions recent lawsuits, both in New York and in California designed to stop those cities’ laws requiring manufacturers to set goals for e-waste take-back from taking effect.

It appears that these lawsuits are designed to force the issue from state governments to the federal government, where the bills often get watered down.

The article also mentions that a soon to be released report has found that e-waste exports are increasing. The report, created by signatories to the Basel Convention, found that there is something like six tons of e-waste waiting to be disposed of. Much of this waste is demanufactured in toxic and deeply unhealthy ways.

An upcoming report from the Basel Convention on transboundary movement of hazardous waste is said to show a “catastrophic accumulation of e-waste” that could prove to be hazardous….

“E-waste did not even exist as a waste stream in 1989 and now it’s one of the largest and growing exponentially,” Katharina Kummer Peiry, executive secretary of the international agreement said.

Unless the US passes and enforces stricter e-waste recycling laws, the trend will continue for e-waste to end up in landfills or sent abroad for improper demanufacturing. Let’s hope these lawsuits end soon so real progress can be made to improve the air, water and soil quality for all.

Here’s to a greener tomorrow…today.
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Robert Piller is President of EcoMarketingSolutions.com, which helps companies that are “going green” to better promote and market their brand. His web site includes a comprehensive eco-friendly advertising specialty search, featuring over 25,000 eco promotional items in all price ranges, for any business or organization interested in going green. The site’s handy search tool helps you easily find recyclable, biodegradable, organic or recycled imprinted promotional items in any price range and time frame. View the Go Green website at EcoMarketingSolutions.com and comment on his blog postings at GreenSpotBlog.com.