Dec 26 - Recycling & Waste Associations Call for all E-waste to be Recycled

The nation’s largest recycling and waste management associations this week issued a joint statement calling for the reuse or recycling of all electronic waste or "e-scrap." The Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA), the National Recycling Coalition (NRC), the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) said, "Reuse and recycling are far and away the preferred methods of e-scrap management-and with sufficient infrastructure; nearly all discarded electronic products could be technically and economically recyclable." They went on to say that an integrated framework of federal regulations complemented by more customized state regulations would help achieve this goal.

 

California already requires the recycling of virtually all e-scrap. And while Californians Against Waste has successfully sponsored the enactment of several state laws establishing a system of extended producer responsibility for the collection and recycling of some types of problem 'e-waste' (i.e. TV's and Computer monitors, cell phones, and rechargeable batteries), California continues to dispose of more than 400,000 tons of toxic electronics annually.

 

With the start of a new legislative session on January 3, CAW is planning to sponsor a package of new e-scrap legislation aimed at addressing the problem:

  • Toxic Phase-out. CAW sponsored AB 48 (Saldaña), will require manufacturers of electronics to phase out the use of toxic materials in consumer electronics.
  • Computer & Printer Recycling. CAW will re-introduce legislation to expand the state's successful TV and Computer monitor recycling law to include toxic computers and printers.
  • Battery Recycling. CAW will re-introduce legislation requiring retailers to take-back household batteries for recycling.
Lanh Nguyen