EPA sees RFID as environmental tool

The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced that RFID may be an invaluable tool in solving critical environmental issues.

The US environmental watchdog first focused on RFID in 2005 to determine whether expanding use would cause a problem from the disposal of the smart tags. Its studies concluded any such concern was negligible. Angie Leith, EPA senior policy analyst, said it currently has no interest in regulating this fast-growing 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 such short supply, tagging these materials for recycling could have 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.