Supporting Electronic Waste Recycling

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Electronic waste, or E-Waste, includes TVs, computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment. It is the fastest growing part of the solid waste stream. Only about 12 percent of E-Waste is recycled nationwide and the rest ends up being either landfilled or shipped abroad, where it becomes mountains of trash on which third world kids climb. Furthermore, according to the U.S. EPA, even the tiniest amounts of the toxic substances in E-waste can pollute ground water if leak out of even the most well-run landfill. In Illinois, ELPC fought for legislation that was successfully passed in September 2008 requiring electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle or reuse electronic waste. The legislation makes both environmental and economic sense, and acts as an economic development tool to create jobs and revenue for residents and business.

ELPC’s Mel Nickerson discusses electronic waste recycling in Illinois before the 2009 the digital TV conversion.

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