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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. The “Collector Registration List” for the Electronic Product Recycling Program refers to “new collectors”. What does this mean?
A. “New collectors” are those businesses (including those currently involved in collecting electronics) that are “new” to this program and who wish to be paid by recycling plans for collecting covered electronic products. New collector’s names will be added to the “Collector Registration List” when their registration is complete.

Q. What is an “existing collector”?
A. “Existing collectors” are those who are already registered collectors under the Electronic Product Recycling Program.

Q. When can a business that is currently providing collection services outside of the Electronic Product Recycling Program register for this program?
A. New collectors to the program (see Question #1) can register at any time. Existing collectors (See Question #2) must renew their registration annually between June 1 and September 1.

Q. Can a collector in the Electronic Product Recycling Program collect one type of covered electronic product (TVs, for example) to send to the program for recycling and another type of covered electronic product, (computers, for example) for it's own use?
A. No. The rules state that collectors under this program must submit all the covered electronic products it collects to a plan for recycling (see WAC 173-900-450(7)).

Q. Can a collector disassemble the covered electronic products it collects to recycle or reuse parts of those products?
A. No. If a collector disassembles any covered electronic products, the collector is also considered a processor. By definition, a processor must be contracted by a plan to provide processing services and meet the performance standards for direct processors (see WAC 173-900-650).