Waste 2 Resources > E-Cycle Washington> Local Governments

Local Governments

Which local governments can use the program?
As of January 1, 2009, the following government entities in Washington State may dispose of their unwanted covered electronic products (CEPs) at collection points free of charge:

• Governments of cities with a population of under 50,000
• Governments of counties with a population of under 125,000
• School districts
• Special purpose districts

What are local governments expected to do?
Local governments are required to provide their citizens with information about the recycling program through existing educational methods typically used by local government. This includes listing locations and hours of operation of local collection sites and services.

A Local Government Toolkit, to promote E-Cycle Washington is now available. This toolkit will be updated as needed. Check this web site periodically for the most recent version of the Local Government Toolkit.

Visit the Public Outreach page for logos and other public outreach materials.

Collecting electronic products

Local governments do not need to set up collection sites or pay for the recycling program. Recycling plans must provide service throughout the state. This means having a collection service in each county and for each city or town with a population greater than 10,000. To meet this requirement, plans are required to work with local government entities responsible for preparing local solid waste management plans.

Local governments may wish to work with recycling plans to provide collection sites at public facilities. Local governments must register with Ecology if they wish to be compensated by a recycling plan for collecting electronics. Visit the Collector page for more information on how to register as a collector.

For information about the eligibility of collection events, see Collection Event FAQs.

Local Government & Community Satisfaction Reports
Beginning in 2010, local governments and local communities are encouraged to submit an annual "Satisfaction Report" to Ecology by March 1, but may do so throughout the year. The entity responsible for preparing the solid waste management plan for an area is responsible for submitting the Satisfaction Report. The report must use a template Ecology provides that will include information on:

• Accessibility and convenience of services and how they are working in their community.
• What services aren't working and why.
• Suggestions for improvements to services plans provide.
• Description of public outreach and education.
• Any other relevant information.

The 2010 Satisfaction Report Summary is available here. Ecology uses the feedback received from local governments and summarized in these annual reports to improve the Standard Plan for recycling electronics and to evaluate any new plans that may be proposed.