Molten television. Use of brominated flame retardants and heavy metals in plastics by manufacturers such as Sony create very dangerous emissions when burned and disposed in this way. ©2007 Basel Action Network

“This is the kind of corporate responsibility that we rarely see in this country, but that we as consumers should insist on, before we buy any company’s products,” said Ted Smith, Chair of the Computer TakeBack Campaign, a national coalition promoting responsible recycling and green design for consumer electronics. “We are pleased to see Sony set an aggressive collection goal. However, we need to see more details about how they will manage the e-waste they collect, to be sure that Waste Management isn’t simply exporting it to developing countries.”

TV Industry Lobbies Against Takeback Legislation

While several computer companies, such as Dell, HP and Apple, have established voluntary takeback programs, this is the first television company to launch an on-going program in the United States for all of their products. In many states, the TV manufacturers have lobbied vigorously against legislation that would require them to pay for e-waste recycling programs. Led by Panasonic, Sharp, and Philips, a coalition of TV companies continues to lobby against e-waste bills that call for “producer responsibility,” instead supporting bills that make consumers pay recycling fees, like in California. Sony has been part of that lobbying coalition. Producer takeback bills have passed in eight states so far (Maine, Maryland, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Connecticut, Texas and North Carolina (pending governor approval). Bills in Texas and NC only cover IT equipment, not televisions.

Challenge to Other TV Companies to Match Sony

Following Sony’s announcement, the Computer TakeBack Campaign challenged other TV manufacturers to match Sony’s program, particularly as the 2009 deadline for converting to digital TV signal approaches. Twenty one million households rely solely on over-the-airwaves signal for their television reception, according to Consumers Union.

“We call on the rest of the television industry to join Sony in offering free takeback to consumers in this country,” said Robin Schneider, Vice-Chair of the Computer TakeBack Campaign, and Executive Director of the Texas Campaign for the Environment. “Clearly, if Sony can make the economics work, then so can Panasonic, Sharp, and Philips. Indeed, these same companies are running takeback programs in other parts of the world, so why not here? As we face the February 2009 deadline for switching from analog to digital television, many consumers will be ready to toss their old lead-containing CRT televisions in the trash, replacing them with new flat panel TVs that receive digital signal. The rest of the television industry should step up and take back all of these old televisions – to keep them out of the landfills - especially since these companies are now making millions of dollars selling us the new TVs.”

Recycling Standards

The Computer Takeback Coalition expressed concerns about the lack of detail in Sony’s announcement regarding the specifics of how and where collected electronics will be recycled, and how Sony will manage this part of the program. Sony’s statement contained no details about recycling standards.

“While we support Sony’s efforts to collect and recycle their old products, we have expressed our concerns to them that they must ensure that their hazardous e-waste is not exported to countries where it could cause serious pollution,” said Ted Smith, CTBC Chair. “Because the trend in e-waste recycling has been to export most of the toxic materials to developing countries (usually in violation of those countries’ laws,) Sony will need to impose very strict standards and auditing protocols to be sure that their program does not follow that trend. Waste Management, Inc. has had some significant problems as a landfill operator, paying millions of dollars in fines over the years. So we need Sony to provide absolute transparency and the highest social and environmental standards regarding how and where their collected e-waste is recycled. We will continue to insist that their recyclers follow the highest standards in handling the products and materials. We look forward to seeing more information from Sony soon as they finalize the details of this part of the program and begin rolling it out on September 15,” Smith continued.

The Computer Takeback Campaign is a national coalition of organizations promoting sustainable and responsible practices throughout the high-tech electronics industry, to protect public health and the environment. Steering Committee Organizations are Basel Action Network, Center for Environmental Health, Clean Production Action, Clean Water Action, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and Texas Campaign for the Environment.

For general information on e-waste issue: http://www.computertakeback.com

Sony’s release on this announcement: http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/corporate_news/release/31014.html

For more information on the harm caused by exporting toxic e-waste, see two reports by the
Basel Action Network:

• Exporting Harm: The High Tech Trashing of Asia
  
• Digital Dump: Exporting High-Tech Re-use and Abuse to Africa

Press Contact: Barbara Kyle 415-206-9595