via Clean Water Action:

State Needs a Plan ASAP For E-waste Disposal

Providence, RI—Computers and televisions will be banned from the landfill starting July 1, but the state won’t have a plan for what to do with them unless the General Assembly takes action before the legislative session ends this week. If the general assembly doesn’t take action this year, the state will be facing significant increased costs for recycling.

Click on "More..." for more details.

In 2006, the General Assembly passed a law banning electronic waste from the Central Landfill starting in July of this year.
 
The Senate passed legislation early this month to create a system for the collection and recycling of computers and televisions. However, that bill has stalled in the House Committee on Finance
 
“The e-waste bill would save state taxpayer money, conserve space in the landfill, eliminate consumer fees, and support local recycling businesses,” said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action. “With the budget so tight this year, this bill is a great opportunity to cut state expenses and protect the environment.”
 
Thirteen other states including Connecticut have passed manufacturer-funded bills similar to the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act (S 2631a and H 7880) which integrates recycling costs into the product rather than charging taxpayers after the fact.
 
With the conversion to digital television coming at the beginning of next year, the state is expecting an increase of televisions coming into the waste stream. With the disposal ban coming into effect, the amount of recycling of all computers and televisions, and its expense, will increase. The Resource Recovery Corporation’s (RIRRC) voluntary e-waste recycling program has cost on average $125,000 per year.
 
In a letter this week urging passage of the bill, RIRRC Executive Director Michael O’Connell noted that, “S2631a removes the cost of disposal from consumers and from municipalities by requiring manufacturers to pay for recycling.” Rhode Islanders currently pay $5.00 per unit to recycle televisions.
 
The Senate legislation which passed unanimously had broad support from manufacturers, retailers, environmental organizations, the DEM, and RIRRC.
 
According to the state’s Comprehensive Solid Waste Master Plan, Rhode Islanders create 7,500 tons of electronic waste each year. The RIRRC’s recycling program has taken in an average of only 76 tons of computers per year since its inception.
 
###

For more info, contact Sheila Dormody, Clean Water Action.

: p: (401) 331-6972  f: (401) 331-7072
: mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
: http://www.cleanwateraction.org  

Clean Water Action is a national citizens' organization working for clean, safe and affordable water, prevention of health-threatening pollution, creation of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses, and empowerment of people to make democracy work.

To contact your local representatives, click here.