Portland (Maine) Press Herald  [Printer-friendly version]
January 18, 2006

RECYCLING ELECTRONICS GETS EASIER UNDER NEW STATE LAW

[Rachel's introduction: We don't know 100% for sure that discarding
old electronic gear into the natural environment will harm anything --
but there's a lot of evidence that it might. Such a situation calls
for precautionary action -- specifically, "extended producer
responsibility," which the state of Maine has adopted.]

By Tom Bell

A new law goes into effect today that makes Maine the first state in
the nation to require manufacturers to pick up the cost of recycling
old TVs and computer monitors.

Environmentalists say the law will encourage manufacturers to design
products that are less toxic and easier to recycle. They hope other
states will follow Maine's example.

"It's a very pioneering approach in this country," said Sego Jackson,
a county planner in Washington state, which is considering similar
legislation. "The Maine legislation has been breakthrough legislation
for the United States. It points us in a different direction."

There is growing concern nationally about the cascade of out-of-date
electronic equipment being buried in landfills or burned in
incinerators. Each computer or TV monitor contains about 5 pounds of
lead, as well as mercury, cadmium and other toxic chemicals. Flat
panel TVs and monitors don't have lead but contain mercury.

European governments and Japan for years have required manufacturers
to pay for recycling electronics and some appliances, but the United
States has been reluctant to do so, making disposal a responsibility
of local governments and local taxpayers.

In the United States, only California has a significant electronic
waste recycling program. But California's program is different from
Maine's. The Golden State collects an up-front disposal fee at the
store when products are purchased and then distributes the money to
pay recycling costs.

Environmentalists hope other states follow Maine, not California.

Maine's system is market-based. Manufacturers pay for the cost of
sorting and recycling, based on what is actually thrown away, paying
up to 42 cents a pound.

Maine's way is better because it gives manufactures an incentive to
design their products so they can be recycled more easily, said Jon
Hinck, an attorney with the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

"As you look around the United States and see activity on the
electronic waste issue, many of the best measures are inspired by the
Maine approach," Hinck said.

The Maine Legislature passed the measure two years ago. The law makes
cities and towns responsible for setting up collection times and sites
and shipping the items to one of five "consolidators" chosen by the
state.

The consolidators sort the items, identify the manufacturer of each
item and send a bill to the manufacturer for the cost of recycling,
handling and transporting the item.

In the past, many Maine towns have struggled to find a way to dispose
of electronic equipment, said Michael Starn of the Maine Municipal
Association. He said the new law will be a big help.

By making it less costly for municipalities to get rid of old TVs and
computer monitors, more of the items will be recycled rather than
buried in landfills, said Carole Cifrino, an environmental specialist
with the state's Division of Solid Waste Management.

The law's greatest significance is that more populous states are using
it as a template for their own measures, said Barbara Kyle, campaign
coordinator for the Computer TakeBack Campaign, based in San Jose,
Calif.

About 15 states are looking at taking Maine's approach, and bills have
been introduced in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Washington, Wisconsin and New York City, Kyle said.

"This model of producer responsibility is really significant," she
said. "Manufacturers are paying, not the taxpayers, so it's not a
taxpayer burden."

Washington state is looking at creating similar program. But that
state's legislation is even more stringent, requiring manufacturers to
pick up cost of collecting the items as well.

Staff Writer Tom Bell can be contacted at 623-1031 or at:
tbell@pressherald.com

Copyright 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.