Modernizing U.S. E-Waste export governance for environmental and trade compliance

The United States, as a leading generator of electronic waste (e-waste), faces mounting challenges in regulating its transboundary movement in a manner that aligns with environmental sustainability and international trade norms. This literature review critically examines the inconsistent landscape of U.S. e-waste export governance, highlighting regulatory gaps at federal and state levels, limited enforcement capacity, and non-compliance with global frameworks such as the Basel Convention. Drawing on peer-reviewed scholarship and policy analyses, the review explores the environmental and social consequences of e-waste exports, particularly in developing countries where informal recycling practices pose significant health and ecological risks. Comparative models from the European Union and Canada demonstrate the efficacy of extended producer responsibility (EPR), centralized oversight, and traceability mechanisms. Reform proposals, including legislative initiatives like the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA) and the CIRCLE Act are evaluated for their potential to strengthen domestic recycling, improve compliance, and foster a circular economy; an approach that minimizes waste through reuse, repair, and recycling, creating a closed-loop system that reduces resource input and environmental impact. The review concludes that scalable reform is achievable through harmonized federal policy, stakeholder engagement, and digital innovation, offering a pathway toward environmentally sound and legally coherent e-waste export governance.