IPC is taking exception to the Definition of Solid Waste rule unofficially released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on December 11.
“IPC is disappointed that the DSW rule released today provides insufficient incentives to promote recycling of secondary materials and maintains many onerous and unnecessary requirements proposed in 2011,” said Fern Abrams, IPC director of regulatory affairs and government relations. Abrams continued, “The rule retains significant and unnecessary regulatory burdens.”
Added John Hasselmann, IPC vice president of government relations, “This issue has a significant effect on our members, and we hope EPA will continue to look for opportunities to reduce the regulatory disincentives to recycling.”
IPC says that since 2007, it has advocated for a rule that would promote recycling of secondary materials, noting that wastewater treatment sludge from electroplating operations, predominately from the metal finishing and printed-board industries, represents one of the United States’ largest potential sources of recoverable metals
IPC claims that the previous 2008 DSW rule had the potential to save industry, including electronics manufacturers, approximately $95 million per year while providing an environmental benefit by reducing waste.
Visit the IPC’s website for more information on the DSW rule or download a prepublication copy of the rule.
