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In
Brief
Upate - 2008
The new electronic waste recycling law passed in '06 will go into effect in January '09 (less than one year away!).
Check out the great YouTube video on the partnerhsip that successfully made this new law happen.
WEC is proud of our leadership role in getting that new law passed. We also feel good about the controls and reporting requirements in the new rules that will help us know that who is doing the recycling itself to work to assure it is being done responsibly. The on-the-ground benefits will hit Washington residents in January of 2009 when local drop-off centers will be located around the state and be free of charge.
Click here for information on how to recycle your e-waste...
Electronic
Waste Recycling Bill Signed into Law - '06
November 2006 -- The E-Waste Team that brought about the victory also became the 2006 winners of the "Heroes in Our Own Backyard." Check out the Seattle Times editorial showcasing the award winning partnership that passed this "most-advanced in the nation" recycling systems for TVs and computers.
March 2006 -- Olympia,
WA -- Governor Gregoire signed into law in March, it became
one of the most extensive electronic waste recycling laws
in the country.
This
was a huge success and was won over the strong opposition
by some in the electronics industry. WEC's Policy Director
Mo McBroom led the efforts in Olympia and there was a
great coalition of forces including: our legislative partner,
Washington Conservation Voters; lead policy partner, Washington
Citizens for Resource Conservation; and others including
local governments, charities, the Washington Retail Association,
and Hewlett Packard.
 (Some
partners on the Electronic Waste Recycling campaign (left
to right) -- Mo McBroom, WEC; Jay Shepard, Department
of Ecology; Jan Gee, Washington Retail Association; Senator
Craig Pridemore, 49 th Leg District; Suellen Mele , Washington
Citizens for Resource Conservation; Sego Jackson , Snohomish
County; and, Larry King, Hewlett Packard.
We
not only got some good press here in Washington (AP story
in the Seattle Times, PI, Olympian as well as
a big article in the Tacoma News Tribune, but
an article in the New York Times led to WEC's
Policy Director Mo McBroom being quoted around the globe.
Go to In the News
to read some of these stories.....
The
State Senate passed the Electronic Waste Recycling bill
(SB 6428) on a 41 to 8 vote. Senator Craig Pridemore
(D-49, Vancouver ) is the bill's prime sponsor.
The House passed the bill on a 69-29 vote.
The
law will give people a simple, free and safe way of recycling
their old computers and TVs. The electronics recycling
system will be established and paid for by the manufacturers
of electronic equipment, with retailers and others voluntarily
serving as collection points.
This
bill was one of the environmental community's top priorities
for the 2006. To learn more about the other Priorities
for a Healthy Washington go to:
www.environmentalpriorities.org
Need
for Action
Technology
advances have changed the way we work and live. But as computers
and televisions reach the end of their useful lives, there
is a growing concern that they be handled in an environmentally
sound manner. Washington citizens need a free and convenient
means of recycling our unwanted electronics.
Solution
The
environmental community, retailers, charities and a major
computer manufacturer worked together to promote a shared
responsibility model for electronics recycling. Manufacturers
will establish and pay for the collection, transportation
and processing system throughout Washington, and retailers,
charities and local governments may voluntarily participate.
Key Features:
. Free to households, small governments, schools and
charities
. State-wide coverage
. No new fees or taxes; manufacturers will internalize
the costs
. Market driven system that will result in lower costs
through competition
. Limited government
role
. Manufacturers' obligations based on contribution
to the waste stream
. Local retailers not put at a disadvantage
. Easy transition to national program
Benefits
This
comprehensive e-waste recycling program will dramatically
reduce the amounts of lead, mercury, and other chemicals
dumped into our landfills and exported to developing countries.
It will provide incentives to electronics manufacturers
to reduce their use of toxic chemicals, which are expensive
to handle. Also, by recycling electronics we conserve
energy and natural resources and at the same time create
business opportunities and jobs.
Contacts:
Mo
McBroom
Suellen Mele
Washington
Environmental Council
Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation 206-622-8103,
ext 208 206-441-1790
mo@wecprotects.org
suellen@wastenotwashington.org
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