Temple Emanu-El was buzzing with activity and excitement on the evening of June 1^st, 2010 as the Tikkun Olam Committee held its first political action for responsible recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). Meeting in the Temple sanctuary, over 200 lively, concerned and energetic citizens, from our congregation and from the interfaith community of PACT (People Acting in Community Together), gathered to hear the committee’s report on the status of recycling of e-waste and the commitments of officials from the City of San Jose and the County of Santa Clara to improve the process for handling e-waste.

The research done by the committee proves conclusively that our community needs an upgrade in the way we dispose of or recycle our old TVs, printers and computers that make up the bulk of e-waste. Unfortunately, a number of recyclers collect and dispose of e-waste in an irresponsible way, shipping them overseas, resulting in unsafe and hazardous practices that harm our environment. By changing this situation we will make our community a safer, healthier and richer place to live. At the same time, we can improve the lives of some far-off people who are exposed to hazardous conditions by the only way they have to process, in open fires, our e-waste in peasant villages in places like India, China and Guano.

The committee and, as a result, the Temple have started the process for responsible recycling of e-waste by asking for and receiving commitments from our local government administrators who attended the action to use only recyclers who have pledged to meet the standards for recycling developed by the Basel Action Network and e-Stewards. These are two nationally recognized organizations that are working together to improve the environment by promoting sustainable and just solutions to our consumption and the e-waste crises.

The boisterous approval of the crowd and the successful acceptance of our recommendations to the City and County represent a grand culmination of two years of tireless effort by a dedicated group of Temple volunteers. We have listened to the concerns of the Temple’s members and identified an issue that seemed to strike a resonant chord with our congregation. The support of the Temple has proved that we can all come together to work and act in a positive way on a common problem that exemplifies our dedication to Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, a major tenant of our Jewish faith.

As a result of the Committee’s efforts, Ash Kalra, councilmember for the City of San Jose, who attended our action, has made a bold policy proposal to the City to require that all recyclers within San Jose should be e-Stewards certified recyclers. This will make San Jose the first city in the United States to make responsible recycling an official policy.

Furthermore, Scott Strickland, Senior Policy Analyst for Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, announced at the meeting that the County would establish a new contract for the recycling of the County’s e-waste using an e-Stewards certified recycler.

Subsequently, Liz Kniss issued a press release commending the efforts of Temple Emanu-El and the Tikkun Olam Committee for bringing this vital information to their attention. “Now we know that the County’s e-waste is being recycled without polluting or exploiting poor countries,” said Kniss. “I’m grateful to Temple Emanu-El - PACT for helping us reach the highest standard of environmental responsibility.”

As Rabbi Magat commented, "The work of our Tikkun Olam Committee is to repair the world. It's an honor that the County responded so positively and established a new contract to handle its own e-waste responsibly. We hope that other agencies will follow their example and help take care of our planet and the people who live on it."

A summary video of the action on June 1, 2010 can be seen on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni4WBL3n-ik