by Terri Cronin
When the CalMAX Catalogue went to print, a number of electronic product issues were up in the air.
On September 30, 2002, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) completed a public comment period for the proposed Electronic Hazardous Waste Regulations (reference number R-01-06). The proposed regulations would include the management of cathode ray tubes (CRT) and other "consumer electronic devices" (these are devices which exhibit characteristics of a hazardous waste) under the universal waste regulations. For more information on the draft regulations, select "Electronic Hazardous Wastes" on DTSC's Web site
(www.dtsc.ca.gov).
Legislation
State Legislation on E-Waste: SB 1523 (Sher) would have imposed a CRT recycling fee of $10 on every CRT purchase in the state from a retailer or manufacturer. The fees would have helped fund the collection and recycling of CRTs in California. SB 1619 (Romero) included elements of SB 1523 and also contained goals for the diversion, reuse, and recycling of CRTs. While these two bills were vetoed by the Governor on September 30, his veto message challenges the electronics industry to "lead the way and devise an innovative solution for the source reduction, recycling, and safe disposal of electronic waste." The Governor's message sets the stage for the legislature, industry, government and stakeholders to work together on this issue and craft new legislation for the next session. To find the latest information on E-waste legislation, select "Regulatory Issues" on the CIWMB Electronics Web page
(www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/). You may also search for information by bill number on the Office of Legislative Counsel's legislative information site
(www.leginfo.ca.gov).
Federal Legislation on E-Waste: HR 5158, introduced by U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson, proposes a grant program to help establish and expand computer recycling programs in the U.S. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would administer the grant program. The legislation would be funded by assessing a fee of up to $10 for all retail sales of individual computer monitors and laptops. HR 5158 is cosponsored by eight other U.S. Representatives, including Bob Filner and George Miller of California. The bill has gone to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.
Electronic Product Management Directory
New listings have been added to the CIWMB's online Electronic Product Management Directory
(www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Collection/), where you can find organizations that reuse or recycle electronic products. You can search by county, company name, and type of electronic equipment. (If you do not find an organization listed in your county, try an adjacent county, since many organizations provide services regionally.) Remember, if you know of an organization in your community that is not listed, please contact us at
tcronin@ciwmb.ca.gov so we can add them to the directory.
Product Stewardship Support Project
The CIWMB's Product Stewardship Support Project supports the CIWMB's involvement in the National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative (NEPSI) and other efforts. The project documents the costs, programs, and perspectives of California local governments related to e-waste issues.
Results of a survey conducted by the project are in a draft report, Meeting California's E-Waste Challenge: A Survey of California Local Government Electronics Recycling Programs (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Stewardship/PSSP/) The report describes a sample of 41 electronics recycling programs reported by 25 jurisdictions and covering 40.6 percent of the state's population. While not statistically representative, aggregate responses should reflect the mix of circumstances statewide. The responses describe a turbulent year in which jurisdictions, contractors, processors, and their partners scrambled to develop new services for a product type few had previously handled.
Additional information on the project, including the survey form, a summary of local government perspectives documented in two workshops, an overview of product stewardship issues, and an Internet resource guide, are available at
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Stewardship/PSSP/.
Electronics Updates Home
Last updated:
August 01, 2008
|
