Electronics Update

by Terri Cronin

Guidelines Available
The final version of the "Procurement, Use and End-of-Life Management Guidelines" are now available. In May, State agency and local government representatives attended training on the guidelines held in Sacramento at the Government Technology Conference 2003. Organizations can find the Guidelines, as well as resources developed for the training session, at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/. Companion materials, including a vendor checklist and a needs assessment for each of the three modules, can help organizations to implement the guidelines within their organization.

California State agencies are part of a growing trend among government entities to improve the efficiency of electronic equipment procurement and use. The City of Seattle, Washington, has adopted a preference for the purchase of flat-screen computer monitors. The city has also incorporated environmental criteria into laptop and personal digital assistant procurement. Seattle established duplex printers and copiers as the city standard for new purchases and set duplex as the default option on all printers. A recent report on the progress of Seattle's "Environmental Action Agenda" is available at www.seattle.gov/environment/.

Legislative Update
SB 20 (Sher), recently expanded and amended, is moving through the legislature and gaining attention. The legislation would require manufacturers that sell electronic products containing toxic materials in California to develop a plan approved by the CIWMB for the collection, handling, transportation, processing, recovery, reuse, and recycling of their electronic devices.

Manufacturers would have the option of paying a fee equal to the real cost of collection and recycling on each device sold, in lieu of developing a plan and subsequent program. Collection options include take-back of devices at point of sale, mail-back of devices to manufacturers, curbside collection, and drop-off of devices at collection facilities convenient to consumers. The legislation would also establish recovery and recycling targets, with a 90 percent recovery rate goal for 2010. The reduction of hazardous materials in electronic devices—and controls on the export of hazardous electronic devices—are also included in the legislation.

The electronics industry expressed concerns regarding the cost of the program proposed by the legislation. As noted in the senate bill analysis, opponents claim the proposed legislation "attempts to create an overly complex system" that would increase prices for electronic products and limit the products available in the state.

Supporters of the legislation include local government organizations, environmental groups, and waste management companies. They cite increased illegal dumping and the high cost of properly managing electronic waste as two key issues addressed by the legislation.

Electronics Legislation from Coast to Coast California is not alone in developing legislation on electronic equipment. In Washington State, Representative Mike Cooper introduced House Bill 1942 to address waste from electronic products. The bill would make computer manufacturers responsible for financing and developing an environmentally sound collection and recycling system for e-waste. In Maine, Representative Judd Thompson has introduced "An Act to Protect Public Health and the Environment" (LD 743) that would require electronics manufacturers to establish and finance a system for the collection and safe disposal of electronic waste.

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Last updated: August 01, 2008