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Implementation of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act (SB 20, Sher,
Chapter 526, Statutes of 2003) is progressing. At press time, regulations
needed to implement the Act were on their way to the CIWMB for review and
approval. The Act established a fee on "covered electronic devices" sold in
California to fund collection and recycling of obsolete equipment. The
Electronic Waste Recycling Act included a provision to adopt "Emergency
Regulations." The emergency regulation process allows for faster adoption of
regulations needed to implement elements of the Act by July 1, 2004. Most
notable is the payment system to provide funds to collectors and recyclers
of covered electronic devices. While the regulations are not yet finalized,
we can provide answers to important questions about the Electronic Waste
Recycling Act of 2003. WHO pays the fee? The fee is collected at the time
of purchase. A "consumer" includes a business, corporation, limited
partnership, nonprofit organization, or governmental entity. Retailers will
collect the fee at the time of purchase. What is the FEE?
The fee amount is based on the diagonal screen size of the equipment: $6
if the screen is less than 15 inches, $8 if greater or equal to 15 but less
than 35 inches, and $10 if 35 inches or more. The fee is not taxable and
currently applies to equipment that contains a cathode ray tube (most
televisions and computer monitors) and laptop computers. Where does the
money go?
Unlike the "bottles and cans" beverage container recycling program,
consumers will not receive a "rebate" or "redemption" when electronic
equipment is collected for recycling. Instead, the fee helps offset
electronic devices recycling costs paid by consumers, currently $15–$40 per
unit. The fee will help establish a system to recycle old televisions,
monitors, laptops, and other "covered" electronic equipment.
What do you do with an OLD Television or Monitor?
Currently, the following reuse and recycling options are available:
- Manufacturer-coordinated recycling programs, including those operated
by HP (Hewlett-Packard), IBM , and DELL. Check the website of the manufacturer of your
equipment for details about their services.
- Local organizations that take donations of working computers.
- Local one-day collection events and collection facilities, and some
household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities. Contact your local household
hazardous waste program.
- EPMD—the ever-expanding Electronic Product Management Directory at
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Collection. The EPMD currently lists more
than 300 facilities. These include private recyclers, nonprofit
organizations that accept working equipment, and local government
facilities.
TIPS
Don’t assume the organization that takes equipment will erase your data. To
protect important information, remember to remove data from your computer
before donating or recycling.
If you are a recycler, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Regulations already exist
and additional regulations are under development in response to the new
electronic waste recycling law. For more information, visit:
www.dtsc.ca.gov/ Resource Guides:
Available in spring 2004: Best Management Practices for Electronic
Waste
This new guide is a great resource for planning and implementing
electronic waste collection programs. Designed primarily for local
government organizations, the guide provides "how-to" information on
writing a successful request for proposals, evaluating and choosing from a
variety of collection program models, and running a collection program. This
important resource can also help community organizations, reuse and
recycling organizations, and others involved in coordinating or sponsoring
an e-waste collection event. The guide will be available free from the
CIWMB Publications
Catalog--Electronic Waste category. Guidelines
Another resource for managing electronic equipment is the "Procurement,
Use and End-of-Life Management Guidelines." Developed originally for State
agencies, any organization can use the guidelines to make better
purchasing decisions, use electronic equipment more efficiently, and
properly manage obsolete equipment. Organizations can find the guidelines,
as well as resources developed for the training sessions, at the Board's
Electronics web site. Companion materials, including a vendor
checklist and a needs assessment for each of the three modules, can help
organizations implement the guidelines. Electronics Updates Home
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