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| Assembly Update - E-Waste |
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| Tuesday, 03 June 2008 | |
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This bill has an excellent chance of passage this year, after six years of trying, we've been told. Here is an update from Clean Water Action... Senate to Consider Electronic Waste Legislation Tuesday Click on "More..." for additional info. BackgroundThe general assembly first acted on the need to address the growing electronic waste issue in 2006. The state passed a disposal ban on computers and televisions that is now scheduled to take effect in July of this year. According to the state’s Comprehensive Solid Waste Master Plan, Rhode Islanders create 7,500 tons of electronic waste each year. The RI Resource Recovery Corporation’s e-waste recycling program has taken in an average of only 76 tons of computers per year since its inception. While the total tonnage has been steadily increasing each year, it means that RIRRC recycles on average less than 2% of Rhode Island’s e-waste. “With the new federal rule requiring all TV signals to switch to digital in just over a year, we can expect even more televisions to be thrown in the trash,” said Dormody. “That’s why we need this bill to pass this year.” On February 17, 2009, TV stations will stop broadcasting analog signals over the airways, and switch to only digital signals. This means that millions of older TVs across the country will no longer receive a signal. Consumers will need to either buy a digital set-top converter box or a brand new TV in order to get over-the-airways reception. Millions of new TVs will end up in the trash as consumers opt for new flat panel TVs. Discarded electronic products are a growing part of the solid waste stream. Each year, we scrap 400 million units of electronics in the US, according to the recycling industry. E-waste contains toxic materials harmful to humans and the environment. Just one computer monitor can contain 4-8 lbs. of lead. Like batteries, these electronics are safe to use, but when they are disposed, they can leak toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and cadmium into groundwater and the atmosphere. Many states are passing legislation mandating that manufacturers offer free e-waste collection and recycling programs as a condition of selling in their states. Twelve states, plus New York City, have passed similar legislation requiring manufacturers to pay for the collection and recycling of electronic waste. For background information about the digital conversion deadline and other state e-waste legislation, see http://www.computertakeback.com/ ### :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: : Sheila Dormody : Rhode Island director | Clean Water Action : 741 Westminster St., Providence RI 02903 : 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/ri :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 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. |
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