The following is a list and brief overview of the major e-waste recycling legislation that has been passed in other states.
Connecticut (HB 7249)
Signed in July 2007, this bill creates a mandatory recycling program for discarded covered electronic devices (CEDs). CED manufacturers must participate in a program to implement and finance the collection, transportation, and recycling of these products. Municipalities arrange for collection and transportation to recyclers and recyclers bill the manufacturers.
Covered Devices: TVs, monitors, personal computers, laptops
Effective Date: January 1, 2009
View a copy of the final bill language.
Maine (LD 1892)
LD 1892, enacted in 2004, requires municipalities to send waste computer and television monitors to consolidation centers that are fully-funded by manufacturers. The manufacturers also pay to ship and recycle the electronic waste according to Maine's environmentally sound recycling guidelines. Manufacturers cover costs apportioned according to the number of their units recovered in Maine, including a share of "orphan units," (units made by manufacturers now out-of-business).
Covered Devices: TVs, Computer Monitors, or anything that has a display greater than 4" or contains a circuit board
Effective Date: January 18, 2006
View a summary of Maine’s e-waste law (24kb pdf)
Maryland (HB 575)
HB 575 established a county-by-county collection system, with the manufacturer being responsible for funding the program or creating their own plans. This law was updated with a new measure (HB 488) signed in 2007. It expands the scopes of products to include TVs and other display devices.
Covered Devices: Desktop computers, personal computers, laptops and now TVs
Effective Date: January 1, 2006, expires in 2010
View a summary of Maryland's e-waste law
Link to updated HB 488 law.
Minnesota (HF 854)
Under HF 854, manufacturers of covered devices must register with the state, pay a registration fee and set up an e-waste recycling program. These manufacturers must also meet specified recycling goals, including 60 percent of the weight of covered electronic devices sold in the state by July 2008 and 80 percent each year thereafter. The producer responsibility bill was signed by Gov. Pawlenty on May 8, 2007.
Covered Devices: TVs, computer monitors, laptops, computers, printers, scanners, and other computer peripherals.
Effective Date: August 2007
Read final version of the law.
New Jersey (A3572)
This producer responsibility legislation signed in 2008 requires manufacturers of covered devices under the state's program to pay an annual registration fee and set up recycling programs. For covered electronic devices, recycling goals based on market share must be met annually and manufacturers that collect and recycle CEDs in excess of their goals may sell credits to other registered manufacturers to apply these credits to the following year's goals.
Covered Devices: desktops, PCs, monitors, portable computers, TVs
Effective Date: Immediately
Link to the bill language for A3572.
New York City (Intro. No. 728)
New York City is the first municipality to pass an e-waste recycling bill, which was signed by the Mayor on April 1, 2008. The law requires manufacturers of certain electronic equipment to create a collection program for any person in the City who wants to properly discard of their electronics. The bill also bans e-waste from disposal into the City's solid waste stream.
Covered Devices: CPUs, computer monitors, computer accessories including keyboards and mice, laptop computers, TVs, printers, portable music player
Effective Date: Immediately
Read the full bill here.
North Carolina (S 1492)
Signed into law in August 2007, this measure requires covered device's manufacturers to pay for the transportation and recycling costs for covered devices from collection sites.
Covered Devices: Desktops, laptops, monitors, keyboards, mice
Effective Date: January 1, 2009
Read the final version of the law.
Oregon (HB 2626)
Signed into law in June 2007, manufacturers of covered electronic devices (CEDs) register to participate in recycling programs and provide collection sites for e-waste. Manufacturer pay a fee dependent on their market share of CEDs sold in the state. The law also prohibits a collection fee for CEDs.
Covered Devices: TVs, monitors, personal computers, laptops
Effective Date: January 1, 2009
Read final version of the law.
Texas (HB 2714)
This measure was signed into law June 2007. Manufacturers of electronic devices are required to pay for collection, transportation and recycling of covered devices and can set up their own recycling take back program.
Covered Devices: Desktops, laptops, monitors
Effective Date: September 1, 2008
View the final version of the law.
Virginia (HB 344)
Signed on March 11, 2008, this producer responsibility bill requires manufacturers to set up a collection system for consumers to return computer equipment for recycling and reuse free of charge.
Covered Devices: Desktops, Notebook computers
Effective Date: July 1, 2009
Read the final version of the law.
Washington (SB 6428)
SB 6428, passed in 2006, would require extended manufacturer responsibility for producing and financing an e-waste recycling program, including the collection, transportation, and recycling of covered electronic products. The measure also calls for further encouragement of the design of electronic products that are less toxic and recyclable. All costs associated with the developed plan will not be passed onto Washington consumers.
Covered Devices: TVs, monitors, laptops and desktop computers
Effective Date: January 1, 2009
View a summary of SB 6428
Read the Chaptered Legislation
Arkansas (HB 2115)
HB 2115 established a deadline for the disposal of computer and electronic waste in landfills. State agencies are required to donate or recycle all covered electronic devices.
Covered Devices: Only state agency generated e-waste is covered. Equipment includes computers, computer monitors, TVs, audio and stereo equipment, monitors, computers, VCRs, keyboards, printers, telephones, fax machines
Effective Date: 2008
View a copy of Arkansas' e-waste law (28kb pdf)
Massachusetts
Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from television and computer monitors were prohibited from all Massachusetts solid waste disposal facilities in 2000.
Effective Date: April 1, 2000
Montana (HB 555)
Signed into law April 2007, this bill establishes a public education program for household hazardous waste recycling. The program will provide information for alternative disposal of HHW to landfills and options for recycling.
Scope of products: Video, audio, telecommunications equipment, computers, and household appliances.
Click here for the full bill language.
New Hampshire (HB 1455)
Law will prohibit disposing of video display devices (including CRTs) in solid waste landfills or incinerators. The State Department of Environmental Services will be required to monitor the disposal of electronic waste.
Effective Date: July 1, 2007
Read the final version of the law.
Rhode Island (S 2509)
The Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act passed in 2006, bans electronics (including CRTs) from landfills. The law will require the Department of Environmental Management, in consultation with stakeholders, to develop the plan for effectively collecting, recycling or reusing all covered electronic products.
Effective Date: July 1, 2008
View the final version of the law.
