Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 14, section 10, states: “Science and Technology are 
essential for national development and progress. The State shall give priority to research 
and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and to science and 
technology education, training, and services. xxx” 
Society’s technological advancements have grown significantly over the years. 
Many electronic devices can reportedly cause serious environmental damage due to their 
toxic components. 
Electronics that are in need of disposal are referred to as e-waste, or electronic 
waste, There has been a growing concern about the hazards of electronic waste due to 
the advancement of electronic products. Some of these concerns include: improper 
disposal of toxic materials, health and safety concerns for people disposing of these 
items, as well as dangers to the soil and water supply. 
For instance, electronics are made using a considerable amount of toxic 
substances such as lead, cadmium, aluminum, zinc, copper, and plastics which can all 
leak poisonous material in the ground and water. These environmental concerns have 
resulted in the establishment of electronic recycling facilities and industries abroad which 
take old electronics, such as computers for the purpose ofrecycling and safe disposal. 
Electronics containing materials such as metals, plastic, are valuable to the 
recycling companies. Disposing of electronics through a recycling company will result in 
fewer electronic devices going into landfills and lower carbon emissions.’ 
’ http://www.filipinoentertainment~i~ide.coi~a~~cles/l5038/1/Elecl~onics-Recyclin~/Page 
1 .html. 


Hence, this bill seeks to authorize the Secretary of Environment and Natural 
Resources to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development and 
demonstration projects. 
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QFF~C;E ;.)i 
, ( , p  zEcfti: iAW? 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
Second Regular Session 
9 
,ilJk! 10 P2:44 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 
PROVIDING GRANTS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING RESEARCH, 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Rep9esentatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Electronic Device 
Recycling Research and Development Act of 2009”. 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term: 
a. “Consortium” refers to a grant applicant or recipient that includes the 
following: 
1. At least one institution of higher education, non-profit research 
institution, or government laboratory; and 
2. At least one for-profit, including a manufacturer, designer, refurbisher, 
or recycler of electronic devices or the components of such devices. 
b. “Electronic device” includes computer monitors, televisions, laptops, printers, 
wireless devices, copiers, fax machines, stereos, video gaming systems, and 
the components of such devices. 
c. “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources. 
SECTION 3. Electronic Device Engineering Research, Development, and 
Demonstration Projects. 
A. In General. - The Secretary shall award multiyear grants to consortia to 
conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to manage the 
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environmental impacts of electronic devices and through the conduct or this research, to 
contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the 
fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, rdurbishing, and recycling. The grants 
awarded 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 
device; 
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. 
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B. Merit Review; Competition. - Grants shall be awarded under this Section on a 
merit-reviewed, competitive basis. 
C. Application. - A consortium shall submit an application for a grant under this 
Section to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
and assurances as the Secretary 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 pubIicly 
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 Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ 
official website; 
4. Demonstration projects; or 
5. Educational materials for the public produced in conjunction with national 
governments, local governments, or nonprofit organizations on problems and 
solutions related to electronic device recycling and reuse. 
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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'Secretary: 
1. Shall not disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets provided by any 
person or entity pursuant to this section; 
2. Shall ensnre 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 or 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 Secretary shall transmit a report to Congress 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. 
SECTION 4. Engineering Curriculum Development Grunts. 
A. In General. - The Secretary shall award grants to institutions of higher 
education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design 
into the development of electronic devices: 
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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. Merit Review; Competition. - Grants shall be awarded under this Section on a 
merit-reviewed, competitive basis. 
C. 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 oppdrtunities 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. 
D. Application. - An institution of higher education seeking a grant under this 
Section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
with such information and assurances as the Secretary may require. 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The funds needed for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Environment 
and Natural Resources. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its full 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct 
and separate item. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - I f  any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law,, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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