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September 4, 2007: OFEE Features 2007 CTC Award Winners
The summer 2007 issue of "Closing the Circle News" (PDF, 2.2 MB) is now available on the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's Web site. This issue features the winners of this year's White House Closing the Circle Awards, including the "Sowing the Seeds of Change" award for the successful launch of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and the Electronics Stewardship award for the Department of Energy.
August 24, 2007: Final EPEAT Standards Development Roadmap Available
The final Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Standards Development Roadmap (SDR) is now available. The EPEAT SDR outlines the recommendations, processes and timeline for the development of new environmental performance standards for electronic products, comparable to the IEEE 1680 standard for computers and monitors.
July 20, 2007: New ENERGY STAR Computer Specifications In Effect, ENERGY STAR Launches Federal Office Equipment Web Page
On July 20, 2007, ENERGY STAR's new specifications for computers (ENERGY STAR 4.0) went into effect. The new specification applies to a variety of products including: desktop and laptop computers, integrated computer systems, desktop-derived servers and workstations. ENERGY STAR also launched a new Web page: Product Purchasing and Computer Power Management for Federal Agencies.
July 17, 2007: Green Electronics Council Measures Environmental Benefits of EPEAT Registered Products in 2006
The Green Electronics Council (GEC) released a report measuring the environmental benefits from the sales of EPEAT registered computers in 2006. The report enumerates the environmental benefit of the purchase of over 36 million EPEAT-registered products between the opening of the EPEAT registry in July 2006 and December 2006. Learn more in GEC's press release (PDF, 35 KB) and the full text of the report (PDF, 70 KB).
July 1, 2007: EPEAT Releases Results of Round One Verification Process
EPEAT released a report summarizing the outcomes of the first round of verification of subscriber registrations on the EPEAT Registry. EPEAT's Product Verification Web page provides additional information including the Verification Plan, Verification Results Statistical Report, and Clarification Reports.
June 5, 2007: OFEE and EPA Recognize 2007 FEC Award Winners
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized twenty-seven 2007 award recipients at the 2007 FEC Awards Ceremony on June 5, 2007. OFEE and EPA also recognized Laura Nazef, recipient of the 2007 FEC Leadership Award, and the FEC Regional Champions. Photos from the ceremony and a complete list of 2007 Award recipients are posted online. The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive also issued a press release (PDF, 62 KB) recognizing the award winners.
June 4, 2007: GEC Announces First EPEAT Gold Rated Product
The Green Electronics Council (GEC) announced on June 4 that the first EPEAT Gold rated product was registered by HP. Gold registered products must meet all required environmental performance criteria plus at least 75% of the optional criteria that apply to the product type being registered. The GEC issued a press release (PDF, 28 KB), and HP issued a news release. For more information about EPEAT, and to see the specifications for the Gold product in the product registry, please see the EPEAT Web site.
April 30, 2007: EPA Publishes Electronics Waste Management in the United States
EPA has published a report, Electronics Waste Management in the United States, which presents an updated national analysis of how many TVs, PCs, cell phones and other common electronic products are in storage, recycled, landfilled or exported. The analysis consists of a fact sheet summarizing the major findings and two detailed reports using two distinct sets of data inputs and life span models.
April 4, 2007: Winners of the 2006-2007 Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaign Announced
The Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaign (ERRC) ended March 19, 2007. During the ERRC, federal agencies competed to reuse and recycle the most electronic equipment. A total of 14 winners were selected from 12 agencies and 124 facilities who participated in the Campaign. The program successfully reused and recycled approximately 2.4 million pounds of electronics. The Department of Energy received the top honors for the most equipment reused and recycled, for a second year in a row. The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive issued a press release (PDF, 55 KB). More information is also available on the ERRC Web site.
April 2, 2007: Implementing Instructions Issued for Executive Order 13243
CEQ Chairman James Connaughton issued to heads of agencies the final Implementation Instructions for Executive Order 13423. These instructions, to be considered as mandatory requirements by the agencies, explain in more detail the specific tasks and milestones expected towards successfully meeting the goals of the E.O. The instructions require federal agencies and their facilities to become FEC Partners or implement an equivalent electronics stewardship program. The instructions are available for download (PDF, 151 KB).
March 21, 2007: White House Recognizes Electronics Manufacturers
Officials from the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Federal Environmental Executive recognized computer manufacturers for making more environmentally preferable computers and monitors. The recognized manufacturers have registered computer products that meet the requirements of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). Officials held an event at FOSE 2007 and issued a press release (PDF, 36 KB).
January 24, 2007: President Bush Issues New Executive Order
President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management" on January 24. The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, sustainable acquisition, renewable energy, toxics reductions, recycling, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, fleets, and water conservation. More information is available on the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive Web site.
October 30, 2006
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive issued a press release (PDF, 68 KB) announcing the kickoff of the 2006-2007 Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaign on America Recycles Day 2006.
August 2006
The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) its Gold Star of Excellence Award, which is presented annually to recognize federal agencies' innovative implementation of Executive Order 12999. GSA's goal in presenting the award is to publicly recognize and draw attention to the federal government's commitment to improving access to computer technology in American education, through the Computers for Learning donation program.
July 24, 2006
Computer desktops, laptops and monitors registered under the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) are now available to purchasers. Additional details on the EPEAT standard and the searchable database listing all EPEAT registered computer products is available online at http://www.epeat.net/.
July 19, 2006
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is streamlining the federal hazardous waste management requirements for cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and CRT glass destined for recycling. This information is published in the "Final Rules on Cathode Ray Tubes and Discarded Mercury-Containing Equipment."
July 14, 2006
The spring 2006 issue of "Closing the Circle News" (PDF, 1.3 MB) is now available on the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's Web site. This issue focuses on Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and includes an article on the connection between FEC and EMSs.
July 2006
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration has published "Recycling Technology Products: An Overview of E-Waste Policy Issues" (PDF, 1.9 MB). This report summarizes stakeholders' views and concerns, explains different components of a recycling system, and analyzes models for financing a national recycling system. The report also describes current federal and state government legislation and programs, as well as industry programs, on electronic products disposal and recycling.
June 20, 2006
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive issued a press release (PDF, 144 KB) announcing the winners of the 2006 Federal Electronics Challenge Awards. OFEE and EPA are pleased to recognize the achievements of twenty-two Partners for their leadership and accomplishments in the Federal Electronics Challenge during 2005.
June 2006
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program has released "Greening Your Purchase of Copiers: A Guide For Federal Purchasers." U.S. EPA has developed this, and other, purchasing guides to help government purchasers consider environmental factors in acquisition decisions.
April 24, 2006
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive issued a press release (PDF, 113KB) announcing the winners of the Electronics Recycling and Reuse Challenge. The Electronics Recycling and Reuse Challenge web site provides an overview of the challenge, a complete list of winners, and a photo gallery.
March 28, 2006
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is donating 25 computer systems to Gulf Coast schools as part of Department of Education's Hurricane Help for Schools project, "to get schools affected by the Katrina and Rita hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region back up and running." For more information, see "Pacific Northwest National Laboratory sends computers off to school." (PDF, 63 KB) If your facility has been involved in the donation of computers to hurricane relief efforts, and you would like to be part of an FEC case study, please email partner@electronicschallenge.net.
January 4, 2006
The fall 2005 issue of "Closing the Circle News" (PDF, 851 KB) is now available on the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's Web site. This issue focuses on electronics stewardship and highlights accomplishments by FEC Partners.
November 15, 2005
The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive issued a press release (PDF, 62 KB) announcing the kickoff of the Electronics Recycling and Reuse Challenge. The Office encourages all federal facilities to participate.
November 15, 2005
Federal Computer Week.com published an article titled "EPA starts agency e-recycling contest" announcing the launch of the Electronics Recycling and Reuse Challenge.
November 14, 2005
DOE's Kansas City Plant issued a press release (PDF, 54 KB) announcing the Electronics Recycling and Reuse Challange launch and describing the plant's recycling accomplishments to date.
November 8, 2005
Government Computer News.com published an article titled "Feds prepare for electronics recycling initiative" announcing the launch of the Electronics Recycling and Reuse Challenge.
September 2005
The Department of Interior (DOI) awarded a $200 million/five year agency-wide Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract for Information Technology Hardware procurement to ten vendors. The Request for Proposals (RFPs) included the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) as part of the best value determinations.
EPEAT was included in the hardware specifications for desktops, laptops, and monitors for each proposed model in the following EPEAT areas: toxics reduction; material selection; design for end of life; life-cycle extension; and energy conservation. Vendors were asked to declare whether or not they could meet the specification and demonstrate how they are meeting and will continue to meet the requirements in a line-by-line response for each model they proposed.
The vendor requirements also included EPEAT criteria related to: take-back services; corporate performance; and packaging. Vendors were asked to declare whether or not they could meet the specification and demonstrate how they are meeting and will continue to meet the requirements in a summary for each company/vendor and each manufacturer. DOI is a signatory to the Federal Electronics Challenge MOU, and greened this BPA as part of meeting their FEC goals to green their procurement of IT products and services.
July 26, 2005, GAO Report on eWaste Released
The General Accounting Office released its report "ELECTRONIC WASTE: Observation on the Role of the Federal Government in Encouraging Recycling and Reuse." (PDF, 170 KB) This report summarizes existing information on the amounts of, and problems associated with, used electronics. GAO also examines the factors affecting the nation's ability to recycle and reuse electronics when such products have reached the end of their useful lives.
May 23, 2005, Government Computer News
E-cycling gets into gear: Voluntary programs help agencies handle a mountain of electronics waste
January 10, 2005, FederalTimes.com
Earth-friendly electronics: Agencies sign environmentally responsible pact
November 16, 2004, govexec.com
Agencies to promote environmentally friendly IT purchases
Fall 2004
Closing the Circle News
Special Issue: Electronics Stewardship (PDF, 853 KB)
November 2004 FEC Update (PDF, 42 KB) | Word (48 KB)
August 2004 FEC Update (PDF, 128 KB) | Word (96 KB)
June 2004 FEC Update (PDF, 91 KB) | Word (95 KB)
May 2004 FEC Update (PDF, 124 KB)
