Senator Sherrod Brown Applauds Success of Employee Electronic Recycling Day

Columbus-Based Company Will Refurbish Equipment, Reduce Toxic Electronic Waste

May 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today joined Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) to launch the inaugural Employee Electronic Recycling Day in Washington, D.C. Redemtech, a Columbus-based company specializing in electronic waste recovery, was on site to collect and recycle materials that pose a significant threat to the environment.

“This remarkable event demonstrates how innovation in business can create green jobs in Ohio and address environmental threats that endanger public health,” Brown said.

According to the Basel Action Network, electronic waste places the environment at risk and can expose communities to toxic materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. It is estimated that electronic materials account for more than 2.6 million tons of waste each year, 80 percent of which is considered toxic to humans and the environment. The Columbus company, Redemtech, recycles and refurbishes electronic equipment to manufacture new products and to reduce landfill waste.

Brown has been working to make Ohio the Silicon Valley of clean energy manufacturing. Today, Brown announced new legislation, “The Rubbish to Renewables Act,” that promotes municipal solid waste as a source of clean energy and is based off the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) model of clean energy development. More information about Brown’s initiative that would create jobs and increase demand for clean energy technology can be found here.

Source: Senator Sherrod Brown