SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Electronic Device Re-
cycling Research and Development Act’’. 
SEC. 2. 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 esti-
mates that over 2 billion computers, televisions, 
wireless devices, printers, gaming systems, and other 
devices have been sold since 1980, generating 2 mil-
lion tons of unwanted electronic devices in 2005 
alone. 
(2) Electronic devices can be recycled or refur-
bished to recover and conserve valuable materials, 
such as gold, copper, and platinum. However, ac-
cording 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 re-
main for the recycling of electronic devices by house-
holds 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 chal-
lenge. The crude methods of many of the recycling 
operations in these countries can expose workers to 
harmful chemicals, jeopardizing their health and pol-
luting 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 col-
lection 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 ad-
vantage of existing electronic device recycling oppor-
tunities. Studying factors that influence behavior 
and educating consumers about responsible elec-
tronic 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 envi-
ronment and likely increase the recyclability of such 
devices. 
(8) Accurately assessing the environmental im-
pacts 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. 
SEC. 3. 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 envi-
ronmental 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, re-
furbishing, and recycling. The grants awarded under this 
section shall support research to— 
(1) increase the efficiency of and improve elec-
tronic device collection and recycling; 
(2) expand the uses and applications for mate-
rials recovered from electronic devices;
(3) develop and demonstrate environmentally 
friendly alternatives to the use of hazardous and po-
tentially hazardous materials in electronic devices 
and the production of such devices; 
(4) develop methods to identify, separate, and 
remove hazardous and potentially hazardous mate-
rials 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 re-
cycling of electronic devices, including an emphasis 
on design for recycling; 
(6) conduct lifecycle analyses of electronic de-
vices, including developing tools and methods to as-
sess 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 tech-
niques 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, con-
sumer acceptance, and the practice of responsible re-
cycling and reuse for such devices. 
(b) MERIT REVIEW; COMPETITION.—Grants shall be 
awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed, competi-
tive basis. 
(c) APPLICATIONS.—A consortium shall submit an 
application for a grant under this section to the Adminis-
trator at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information and assurances as the Administrator may re-
quire. 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 en-
tity; 
(2) the applicability of the project to reduce im-
pediments to electronic device recycling in the elec-
tronic device design, manufacturing, refurbishing, or 
recycling industries; 
(3) the potential for and feasibility of incor-
porating the research results into industry practice; 
and 
(4) how the project will promote collaboration 
among scientists and engineers from different dis-
ciplines, such as electrical engineering, materials 
science, and social science.
(d) DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS.—Re-
search results shall be made publicly available through— 
(1) development of best practices or training 
materials for use in the electronic device manufac-
turing, 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 pro-
duced 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 partici-
pating in the consortium shall contribute at least 10 per-
cent 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 informa-
tion or trade secrets provided by any person or enti-
ty pursuant to this section;
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 2010. 
(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 
(3) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. 
SEC. 4. 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 elec-
tronic devices, specifically addressing— 
(i) recycling or safe disposal of elec-
tronic devices and low value materials re-
covered from such devices; 
(ii) designing electronic devices to fa-
cilitate reuse and recycling; and
(iii) the reuse of electronic devices; 
and 
(B) making electronic devices safer and 
more environmentally friendly, specifically ad-
dressing reducing the use of hazardous mate-
rials and potentially hazardous materials in 
electronic devices; 
(2) the environmental and human health risks 
posed by the storage, transport, recycling, and dis-
posal 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 pro-
grams established in this Act. 
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The report under sub-
section (a) shall identify gaps in the current research and 
training programs in addressing the opportunities, bar-
riers, and risks relating to electronic device recycling, and 
the report shall recommend areas where additional re-
search and development resources are needed to reduce
the impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environ-
ment. 
SEC. 
5. 
ENGINEERING 
CURRICULUM 
DEVELOPMENT 
GRANTS. 
(a) GRANT PROGRAM.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with the Director of the National Science Foun-
dation, shall award grants to institutions of higher edu-
cation to develop curricula that incorporates the principles 
of environmental design into the development of electronic 
devices— 
(1) for the training of electrical, mechanical, in-
dustrial, manufacturing, materials, and software en-
gineers and other students at the undergraduate and 
graduate level; and 
(2) to support the continuing education of pro-
fessionals in the electronic device manufacturing, de-
sign, 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), in-
cludes 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 INSTITU-
TIONS.—The Administrator shall conduct outreach to mi-
nority 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, competi-
tive basis. 
(e) USE OF FUNDS.—Grants awarded under this sec-
tion shall be used for activities that enhance the ability 
of an institution of higher education to broaden the under-
graduate and graduate-level engineering curriculum or 
professional continuing education curriculum to include 
environmental engineering design principles and consider-
ation of product lifecycles related to electronic devices and 
increasing the recyclability of such devices. Activities may 
include— 
(1) developing and revising curriculum to in-
clude multidisciplinary elements; 
(2) creating research and internship opportuni-
ties for students through partnerships with industry, 
nonprofit organizations, or government agencies; 
(3) creating and establishing certificate pro-
grams; and 
(4) developing curricula for short courses and 
continuing education for professionals in the envi-
ronmental 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 applica-
tion to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, 
and with such information and assurances as the Adminis-
trator 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 2010. 
(2) $5,150,000 for fiscal year 2011. 
(3) $5,304,000 for fiscal year 2012. 
SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE MA-
TERIALS 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 in-
dustries, shall develop a strategic plan to establish prior-
ities and the physical property characterization require-
ments 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 2010. 
(2) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 
(3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
For the purposes of this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental 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 edu-
cation, nonprofit research institution, or govern-
ment laboratory; and 
(B) at least one for-profit entity, including 
a manufacturer, designer, refurbisher, or recy-
cler 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 ‘‘elec-
tronic device’’ may include computers, computer 
monitors, televisions, laptops, printers, wireless de-
vices, copiers, fax machines, stereos, video gaming 
systems, and the components of such 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 insti-
tution that is an eligible institution under section 
371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
Passed the House of Representatives April 22, 2009. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1580 
AN ACT 
To authorize the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency to award grants for 
electronic device recycling research, development, 
and demonstration projects, and for other pur-
poses.