Electronic Waste

Electronic Waste Experience

Van Ness Feldman’s attorneys have been following the development of electronic waste recycling rules at the national and state levels.  After the passage of Washington’s electronic waste recycling law, the firm has actively followed the Dept. of Ecology’s rulemaking efforts and assessed impacts the new law will have on regulated entities.  Based on the firm’s traditional hazardous waste practice, our attorneys are already familiar with the existing regulatory frameworks governing solid waste management.  Additionally, our attorneys have experience counseling regulated entities on the physical processes that will have to be implemented to comply with the new regulations.  Specifically, our attorneys have:

• Published an article on June 2, 2006 in the Puget Sound Business Journal entitled “Uncertainties surround state’s new ‘e-waste’ law”
• Co-chaired a conference on September 25, 2006 on Washington’s New E-Waste Regulations: The Impact of Washington State’s E-Waste Program on Business, Government, and Communities
• Attended many of the Dept. of Ecology’s workshops and advisory panel meetings as the agency works to draft and implement e-waste regulations
• Researched the electronic waste recycling rules implemented in California, Maine, and Massachusetts
• Follow the Western Electronic Products Stewardship Initiative and the National Electronic Products Stewardship Initiative

General Waste Experience

With one of the leading hazardous waste practices in the nation, Van Ness Feldman calls upon a depth of experience and broad abilities to assist clients in meeting critical environmental challenges.  The firm counsels leading industrial and manufacturing companies, as well as major industry coalitions and associations, in significant regulatory and environmental liability issues.  We have expert knowledge of the complex regulations governing the cradle-to-grave management of hazardous wastes.  In addition to counseling numerous clients regarding their responsibilities as generators of such materials, members of the firm have represented owners and operators of hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities with respect to their ongoing permitting, compliance, and corrective action obligations.  Specifically, our attorneys have:

• Drafted waste management contracts and indemnity agreements for processors, transporters, recyclers, and municipalities
• Prepared complex permit applications
• Interpreted solid and hazardous waste management statutory and regulatory provisions
• Developed familiarity with hazardous and solid waste management companies at a national and state level

Legislative Experience

Van Ness Feldman’s lobbyists and attorneys have worked for decades at the highest levels of government and the private sector to create, influence, shape, implement, and comply with all of the nation’s major energy, environmental, natural resource and transportation laws.  With offices in Seattle, WA and Washington, DC, the firm is well positioned to provide assistance regarding the adoption, interpretation, and implementation of electronic recycling initiatives at the national level and in the Pacific Northwest.