California Watch: E-Waste

E-waste law reaches a milestone: 1 billion pounds of computer junk recycled in California
L A Times: 6.11.2011 by Paul Rogers

Mountains of broken TVs, obsolete computer monitors and outdated laptops that once piled up in California's garages, attics and basements have achieved a milestone.

The state's electronic-waste recycling program has reached its 1 billionth pound of unwanted electronics. That's more than any other state has recycled — and amounts to roughly 20 million TVs and computers kept out of landfills.

"In the six short years this program has been operating, California has really gotten on board with e-waste recycling," said Jeff Hunts, e-waste program manager for the state Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. "People are understanding it's hazardous and needs to be managed responsibly."

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California was the 1st state to pass an E-Waste Law
--24 states have passed similar laws
--California is only state that charges consumers to fund program by paying recycling fees when they buy a TV, laptop or monitor
--California’s law only funds recycling of TVs, laptops or computer monitors
--it requires they be recycled in state
--old VCRs, printers, hard drives, etc. are not covered
--California law requires consumers to pay fee of $6 - $10 depending on size of screen
--the fee funds a state-run program that pays $0.39 a pound to recycling companies and collection organizations
--California’s program has paid out $436 million since 2005

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After California's law passed, however, retail giants fought similar consumer-pay laws in other states. Now environmental groups and the electronics industry both want a national law but can't agree on how strict it should be — or who should pay.

New devices come on the market every year. So even though the state collects roughly 5 million used TVs and computers a year, Californians replace those by buying about 9 million a year. READ MORE !