Federal E-Waste Legislation Proposed to Improve Electronics Recycling Nationwide

MINNEAPOLIS--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Along with leaders from Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) and Minnesota’s electronics recycling industry, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) unveiled proposed federal legislation Sunday at the Richfield, Minn. Best Buy store that seeks to improve the recycling of electronics across the U.S.

The bill, the Electronic Device Recycling and Research and Development Act, is the first step in bringing together manufacturers, retailers, recyclers and research institutes to help find solutions to the problem of e-waste. If passed, the bill will:

• create competitively-awarded grants for universities, government labs, and private industry to research and develop demonstration projects for recycling, reuse, refurbishment and life-cycle analysis;
• call for a study by the National Academy of Science to look at barriers and opportunities to increase electronic device recycling and reduce the use of hazardous materials in electronic products; and
• direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants available for curriculum development for engineering students and professionals in electronics manufacturing, design, refurbishing and recycling industries.

Watch an overview of the announcement - speakers include:

• Sen. Klobuchar
• Paula Prahl, senior vice president, communications, public affairs, and corporate responsibility, Best Buy Co., Inc.
• Todd Schachtman, president, Materials Processing Corporation (MPC)
• Marshall Johnson, CEO, Asset Recovery Corporation (voice only)

Additional videos from the announcement:

• Watch – Sen. Klobuchar breaks down the bill
• Watch – Paula Prahl provides highlights of the Best Buy efforts to help make it easy for consumers
• Watch – How to recycle electronics in about 60 seconds

Additional resources:

• Learn more about the Best Buy recycling programs, including a link to the electronics recycling standards and a list of current recycling partners
• Check out the fiscal 2009 Best Buy Corporate Responsibility Report
• Learn more about Best Buy recycling on Facebook

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Mexico, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $45 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy, Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five Star, Magnolia Audio Video, Napster, Pacific Sales, The Phone House, and Speakeasy. Approximately 155,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in its communities. Community partnership is central to the way business is done at Best Buy. In fiscal 2009, Best Buy donated a combined $33.4 million to improve the vitality of the communities where its employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com.

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