Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)The volume of electronic devices in the United States is substantial and will continue to grow. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 2 billion computers, televisions, wireless devices, printers, gaming systems, and other devices have been sold since 1980, generating 2 million tons of unwanted electronic devices in 2005 alone. (2)Electronic devices can be recycled or refurbished to recover and conserve valuable materials, such as gold, copper, and platinum. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, only 15 to 20 percent of electronic devices discarded from households reach recyclers. (3)The electronic device recycling industry in the United States is growing; however, challenges remain for the recycling of electronic devices by households and other small generators. Collection of such electronic devices is expensive, and separation and proper recycling of some of the materials recovered, like lead from cathode-ray tube televisions, is costly. (4)The export of unwanted electronic devices to developing countries also presents a serious challenge. The crude methods of many of the recycling operations in these countries can expose workers to harmful chemicals, jeopardizing their health and polluting the environment. (5)Some of the challenges to increasing the recyclability of electronic devices can be addressed by improving the logistics and technology of the collection and recycling process, designing electronic devices to avoid the use of hazardous materials and to be more easily recycled, and encouraging the use of recycled materials in more applications. (6)The public currently does not take full advantage of existing electronic device recycling opportunities. Studying factors that influence behavior and educating consumers about responsible electronic device recycling could help communities and private industry develop recycling programs that draw more participation. (7)The development of tools and technologies to increase the lifespan of electronic devices and to promote their safe reuse would decrease the impact of the production of electronic devices on the environment and likely increase the recyclability of such devices. (8)Accurately assessing the environmental impacts of the production of electronic devices and the recycling of such devices is a complex task. Data, tools, and methods to better quantify these impacts would help policymakers and others determine the best end-of-life management options for electronic devices.

Electronic device engineering research, development, and demonstration projects

(a)

In general

The Administrator shall award multiyear grants to consortia to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices and, through the conduct of this research, to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling. The grants awarded under this section shall support research to— (1)increase the efficiency of and improve electronic device collection and recycling; (2)expand the uses and applications for materials recovered from electronic devices; (3)develop and demonstrate environmentally friendly alternatives to the use of hazardous and potentially hazardous materials in electronic devices and the production of such devices; (4)develop methods to identify, separate, and remove hazardous and potentially hazardous materials from electronic devices and to reuse, recycle, or dispose of such materials in a safe manner; (5)reconsider product design and assembly to facilitate and improve refurbishment, reuse, and recycling of electronic devices, including an emphasis on design for recycling; (6)conduct lifecycle analyses of electronic devices, including developing tools and methods to assess the environmental impacts of the production, use, and end-of-life management of electronic devices and electronic device components; (7)develop product design, tools, and techniques to extend the lifecycle of electronic devices, including methods to promote their upgrade and safe reuse; and (8)identify the social, behavioral, and economic barriers to recycling and reuse for electronic devices and develop strategies to increase awareness, consumer acceptance, and the practice of responsible recycling and reuse for such devices. (b)

Merit review; competition

Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis. (c)

Applications

A consortium shall submit an application for a grant under this section to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Administrator may require. The application shall include a description of— (1)the research project that will be undertaken by the consortium and the contributions of each of the participating entities, including the for-profit entity; (2)the applicability of the project to reduce impediments to electronic device recycling in the electronic device design, manufacturing, refurbishing, or recycling industries; (3)the potential for and feasibility of incorporating the research results into industry practice; and (4)how the project will promote collaboration among scientists and engineers from different disciplines, such as electrical engineering, materials science, and social science. (d)

Dissemination of research results

Research results shall be made publicly available through— (1)development of best practices or training materials for use in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries; (2)dissemination at conferences affiliated with such industries; (3)publication on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site; (4)demonstration projects; or (5)educational materials for the public produced in conjunction with State governments, local governments, or nonprofit organizations on problems and solutions related to electronic device recycling and reuse. (e)

Funding contribution from for-Profit member of consortium

The for-profit entity participating in the consortium shall contribute at least 10 percent of the total research project cost, either directly or with in-kind contributions. (f)

Protection of proprietary information

The Administrator— (1)shall not disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets provided by any person or entity pursuant to this section; (2)shall ensure that, as a condition of receipt of a grant under this section, each member of the consortium has in place proper protections to maintain proprietary information or trade secrets contributed by other members of the consortium; and (3)if any member of the consortium breaches the conditions under paragraph (2) or discloses proprietary information or trade secrets, may require the return of any funds received under this section by such member. (g)

Biennial report

Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report that provides— (1)a list of the grants awarded under this section; (2)the entities participating in each consortium receiving a grant; (3)a description of the research projects carried out in whole or in part with funds made available under such a grant; (4)the results of such research projects; and (5)a description of the rate and success of the adoption or integration of such research results into the manufacturing processes, management practices, and products of the electronics industry. (h)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section: (1)$18,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. (2)$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. (3)$22,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.

National Academy of Sciences Report on Electronic Device Recycling

(a)

In general

In order to better recognize gaps and opportunities in the research and training programs established in this Act, the Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a report, to be transmitted to Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, on— (1)opportunities for and barriers to— (A)increasing the recyclability of electronic devices, specifically addressing— (i)recycling or safe disposal of electronic devices and low value materials recovered from such devices; (ii)designing electronic devices to facilitate reuse and recycling; and (iii)the reuse of electronic devices; and (B)making electronic devices safer and more environmentally friendly, specifically addressing reducing the use of hazardous materials and potentially hazardous materials in electronic devices; (2)the environmental and human health risks posed by the storage, transport, recycling, and disposal of unwanted electronic devices; (3)the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices; and (4)any regulatory or statutory barriers that may prevent the adoption or implementation of best management practices or technological innovations that may arise from the research and training programs established in this Act. (b)

Recommendations

The report under subsection (a) shall identify gaps in the current research and training programs in addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to electronic device recycling, and the report shall recommend areas where additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environment.

Engineering Curriculum Development Grants

(a)

Grant program

The Administrator, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall award grants to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices— (1)for the training of electrical, mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, materials, and software engineers and other students at the undergraduate and graduate level; and (2)to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries. (b)

Eligible entities

The term institution of higher education, as such term is used with respect to eligibility to receive a grant under subsection (a)(2), includes any institution of higher education under section 101(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(b)). (c)

Outreach to Minority Serving Institutions

The Administrator shall conduct outreach to minority serving institutions for the purposes of providing information on the grants available under this section and how to apply for such grants. (d)

Merit review; competition

Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis. (e)

Use of funds

Grants awarded under this section shall be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution of higher education to broaden the undergraduate and graduate-level engineering curriculum or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product lifecycles related to electronic devices and increasing the recyclability of such devices. Activities may include— (1)developing and revising curriculum to include multidisciplinary elements; (2)creating research and internship opportunities for students through partnerships with industry, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies; (3)creating and establishing certificate programs; and (4)developing curricula for short courses and continuing education for professionals in the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices. (f)

Application

An institution of higher education seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, and with such information and assurances as the Administrator may require. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section: (1)$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. (2)$5,150,000 for fiscal year 2013. (3)$5,304,000 for fiscal year 2014.

Environmentally Friendly Alternative Materials Physical Property Database

(a)

In general

The Director shall establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices. (b)

Priorities

The Director, working with the electronic device design, manufacturing, or recycling industries, shall develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and the physical property characterization requirements for the database described in subsection (a). (c)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section: (1)$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. (2)$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. (3)$3,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Act: (1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (2)

Consortium

The term consortium means a grant applicant or recipient under section 3(a) that includes— (A)at least one institution of higher education, nonprofit research institution, or government laboratory; and (B)at least one for-profit entity, including a manufacturer, designer, refurbisher, or recycler of electronic devices or the components of such devices. (3)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (4)

Electronic device

The term electronic device may include computers, computer monitors, televisions, laptops, printers, wireless devices, copiers, fax machines, stereos, video gaming systems, and the components of these devices. (5)

Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (6)

Minority Serving Institution

The term minority serving institution means an institution that is an eligible institution under section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).