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Instead of regarding the rapidly increasing number of RFID tags as a threat to the environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency is upbeat and is examining their potential environmental advantages.
The US EPA has announced that RFID may be an invaluable tool in solving critical environmental issues. The environmental watchdog first focused on RFID in 2005 to determine whether its expanding use would cause a problem with the disposal of the smart tags. Its studies concluded that any such concern was negligible. Angie Leith, EPA senior policy analyst, said it currently has no interest in regulating the technology.
Instead, according to Leith, the agency is "looking at the potential advantages." It sees RFID as an answer to "end of life issues." The EPA has concluded that since some raw materials needed for technology are in very short supply, tagging these materials for recycling could result in a big payoff.
Other profound environmental benefits described by experts include reducing millions of tons of waste each year; eliminating tons of greenhouse gas emissions; prevention of some hazardous waste problems; and big energy savings.
The complete article can be read here.
Source: RFID Switchboard
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