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Jun
04
| RI Senate Supports E-Waste Bill |
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| Wednesday, 04 June 2008 | |
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Environmentalists Applaud Senate for Supporting Electronic Waste Bill Click on "More..." for additional details from Clean Water Action. Clean Water Action's Rhode Island director, Sheila Dormody noted that the bill will:- eliminate the cost for RIRRC’s current electronics recycling program, which has already cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars;The House companion bill (H 7880), sponsored by Rep. Art Handy of Cranston, is currently before the House Finance Committee. Background The 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. 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. 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 |
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