GAO Study Calls For Crackdown On Exporting E-Waste

Washington (dbTechno) - According to a new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. needs to do a better job to crackdown on the export of electronic waste.

Electronic waste comes in the form of used computers and other electronic products that are exported with toxic materials inside of them.

These toxic materials can pose a major danger to those who receive them, including foreign workers.

According to the GAO report, consumers in the U.S. got rid of 300 million electronic devices back in 2006.

The report revealed that the majority of this waste will eventually end up in countries where they can do harm to many who work there, as well as the environment.

The GAO report took a shot at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for not doing enough to get companies to combat this practice, such as to promote recycling.

The EPA has since responded, stating that the report did not properly showcase their program to rid of electronic waste.