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Department of Ecology Press Release - January 19, 2006
06-010
OLYMPIA - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has released a report outlining its study of consumer electronic-product recycling, which includes comprehensive recommendations for financing a collection, transportation and processing system within the state.
The study and report, entitled "Implementing and Financing an Electronic Product Collection, Recycling and Re-use Program for Washington State," were required by the 2004 state Legislature.
"We are recommending the Legislature adopt a recycling program for old computers, computer monitors and televisions that would be financed by the manufacturers of those products," said Cullen Stephenson, manager of Ecology's solid-waste division. "The recycling cost would be part of the product's price, not an add-on fee or new tax. When people buy these products, they will know that along with all the other features, end-of-life recycling is incorporated as well."
Discarding electronic products without re-using or recycling the valuable materials and parts inside wastes a very valuable resource. It's also a potential source of pollution.
Electronic products contain lead and other heavy metals. Tests have shown that cathode ray tubes, the picture tube on televisions and computer monitors, contain large quantities of lead and are classified as hazardous waste when disposed.
Heavy metals in landfills from the disposed equipment could leach into and pollute ground water, which may affect human health.
Under Ecology's recommendations, manufacturers would be required to provide recycling services throughout the state or they could not sell their products in Washington.
The system would be transparent for consumers. Under Ecology's recommended program, a person with a television, computer or computer monitor that needs to be disposed of could bring it to one of the manufacturer-established collection sites for recycling at no cost.
After considering several approaches, Ecology developed its recommendations based on comments received from manufacturers, retailers, local governments, recyclers, non-profit charities and citizen groups.
The state Legislature is expected to take up the issue of electronics recycling during this session. At least one bill, supported by a coalition of computer manufacturers, retailers, environmental groups and local governments, is expected to include many of Ecology's recommendations.
The recommended approach minimizes government involvement, limiting it to regulatory oversight and leaving it to industry to run the program. The recommendations rely on competition within private industry to provide the most efficient recycling program at the lowest cost to consumers.
"We want to put our economic system to work in the best interests of the citizens of the state, relying on competition between manufacturers to keep program costs low," said Stephenson. "Only consumers that buy televisions and computers would be affected and they'll be assured that their electronics will be recycled when the product's usefulness is complete."
Electronics Facts:
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Media contact: Caitlin Cormier, public information manager, 360-407-6149
E-Waste report:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0507049.html
Background document on
e-waste:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0607005.html
Ecology's e-waste
information Web page:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/ewaste/
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
