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NOTE You can download a complete list of the EPEAT criteria via Link 2-4.
This move is good news for the world of green computing. Because the government is
such a big buyer of computers, manufacturers will scramble to make their own EPEAT- PART I
certified machines so they can make sales.
At this point, only a handful of vendors have earned gold EPEAT ratings. Dell has six
PART I
PART I
products with gold ratings and 72 at the silver level. Hewlett-Packard has one gold-rated
PC and 73 silver. Apple has 17 products meeting silver requirements.
NOTE Naturally, these numbers are moving targets. Although they were true at the time of writing,
it’s likely that manufacturers are going to step up their EPEAT-certified machines, so hopefully
these numbers will be well out of date by the time you read this.
For more information on EPEAT, go to its website at www.epeat.net, or via Link 2-5.
On the home page is a listing of all the EPEAT-certified electronics, sorted by EPEAT
ranking.

National Computer Recycling Act
The United State House of Representatives has twice tried to pass the National Computer
Recycling Act. The crux of the act is that consumers would be charged a US $10 recycling
fee each time a new computer is sold. It also requires the EPA to take a number of steps to
help manage e-waste in the United States.
The act, if introduced again and passed, would do the following:

• Direct the EPA to develop a grant program to encourage municipalities, individuals,
and organizations to start e-waste recycling programs.
• Assess a fee of up to $10 on new computers in order to fund the grant program.
• Require a comprehensive e-waste study to be conducted by the EPA, which would
make the ongoing recommendations for addressing the problem.
• Require the administrator of the EPA to be in full consultation with manufacturers,
retailers, recycling agencies, waste management professionals, and environmental
and consumer groups.

The bill was first introduced in 2003 and then again in 2005. Each time the bill was never
debated and simply died on the vine. It’s not clear if the bill in this form or another will be
reintroduced to the House or if similar legislation will be introduced to the Senate.

Individual States
Although the federal government struggles with finding its own voice on the issue of
e-waste, individual states are taking the initiative. California, for example, has several
measures in place to combat e-waste. But it’s not alone. Many others are taking a stab at
alleviating e-waste.