THIS MONTH’S ACTION ITEMS:

(1) Sign the National Reuse Day Petition, (2) Become a Master Reuser, and (3) Join Reuse Alliance

Reports & Policies

Reuse Sector-Related Policy

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act: As of August 14th 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in response to hazardous materials found in the making of toys, signed into effect the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. This is a law that affects many reuse organizations around the country. The USCPSC has also provided a guidance for retailers and resellers of children’s products, including thrift stores, consignment shops and charities. Please read this guide to see how your organization may be affected. Click here to download Guide for Retailers and Resellers to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Policy: EPA is now working to educate the public about the importance of reusing and recycling electronics. State and local governments, manufacturers, and retailers, are beginning to provide opportunities to recycle and reuse electronics as they see opportunity in sponsoring take back programs and recycling events. Some states have passed legislation to manage end-of-life electronics, while others are expected to follow. Below are a series of related key links to the EPA website.

• Basic Information about E-waste
• Reducing E-waste
• Recycling electronics
• Regional and State E-Cycling programs
• Other donation and recycling programs
• Statistics on Used and End-of-Life Electronics
• Standards for handling electronic waste
• The EPA FAQ on electronic waste
• Additional Resources, publications, and links
• Digital Television Transition
• TV Recycling Challenge
• Recycle Your Cell Phone
• Responsible eCycling Practices
• Resource Conservation Challenge partnerships

U.S. Department of Labor: The Reuse Alliance provided input into DOL’s Bureau of Labor Statistics official definition of “green collar job” that resulted in the inclusion of reuse.

Reuse Sector-Related Reports

• MEDP’s Reuse Sector Assessment Report
• Cornell’s NYC Materials Exchange Roundtable Report
• ILSR’s Waste to Wealth Report