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EPA and GSA Regional Administrators tour GEEP E-Waste Facility in Durham, NC

Release Date: 10/17/2011
Contact Information: James Pinkney, 404-562-9183, pinkney.james@epa.gov

(Atlanta, Ga. – October 17, 2011) General Services Administration (GSA) Regional Administrator Shyam Reddy and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg toured the Global Electric Electronics Processing (GEEP) facility with other certified e-waste recyclers on October, 17, 2011. The tour was part of a roundtable held to discuss electronic recycling, sustainability challenges and collaborative efforts with local elected officials and the electronics recycling business community.

“Today’s tour illustrates the environmental and economic potential of the electronic recycling industry,” said Stan Meiburg, EPA Deputy Regional Administrator. “EPA recognizes GEEP for demonstrating that opportunities exist to efficiently and profitably address a growing pollution threat.”

EPA has partnered with other federal agencies to enhance the management of used or discarded electronics around the world. The responsible management of electronics is an opportunity to prevent pollution, conserve valuable resources, create jobs, and invest in our economic development.

“As we continue to leverage our information technology supply chain to create and drive markets for green technology and responsible recycling, it will become increasingly more and more important for entrepreneurs to step up and create jobs of the future right here in America,” said Shyam Reddy, GSA Administrator. “I'm thrilled to be visiting the Global Electric Electronics Processing plant which represents that American spirit and the future of American manufacturing and re-manufacturing - while also symbolizing our country's commitment to good environmental stewardship.”

As one of the largest consumers of electronics, the federal government has the particular opportunity and responsibility to purchase, use, and recycle its electronics with the goals of: protecting public health and the environment; creating new and strengthening existing markets for reused, refurbished, and recycled electronic equipment and materials; expanding opportunities for domestic job creation; improving electronics design and management practices; and safeguarding data.