Environmental Law and Policy Center » Electronic Waste Recycling

Wisconsin’s Electronic Waste Bill Signed by Governor

pgray — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:53:23 +0000

After years of hard work by legislators, ELPC and other advocates, Wisconsin has approved an electronic products recycling bill. The bill was signed by Governor Doyle on October 23. Wisconsin now joins Illinois and 18 other states that have enacted e-waste legislation.

Wisconsin’s e-waste bill ensures that dangerous electronic products are recycled, rather than tossed into landfills where valuable components are wasted and toxic chemicals contaminate our soil and water. Through meetings with legislators, op-eds and letters and calls from our supporters in Wisconsin, ELPC helped pass this important legislation that will protect public health and create jobs in Wisconsin.

Read coverage here

ELPC Applauds Passage of Wisconsin’s Electronic Products Recycling Bill

pgray — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:39:04 +0000

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Assembly passed the Electronic Products Recycling Bill (Senate Bill 107) that requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the growing problem of electronic waste.

ELPC helped create Illinois’ e-waste recycling bill and advised on policy and built support for Wisconsin’s legislation.

“Electronic waste is the fastest growing toxic segment of the solid waste stream, and this Wisconsin legislation is part of the solution,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. “This legislation helps solve our e-waste problems, creates jobs and makes recycling easier for residents. It’s a win-win-win for Wisconsin.”

Read ELPC’s press release here

ELPC’s Andy Olsen in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Wisconsin Should Pass Electronic Products Recycling Bill

pgray — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:04:02 +0000

In an op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, ELPC Senior Policy Advocate Andy Olsen wrote that the toxic chemicals contained in electronic products can threaten our health if they end up in landfills.

The answer is an effective recycling program that can safely dispose of electronic products, conserve resources and create jobs. Wisconsin is considering an electronic products recycling bill, similar to the bill ELPC sponsored in Illinois, that will do just that.

In total, 19 states have adopted electronics recycling legislation. Andy wrote “our representatives should vote to protect the public health and create new jobs” by passing a bill that will help Wisconsin recycle electronics.

Read the op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin residents, contact your representatives and ask them to vote for the bill

New Web Resource Simplifies E-Waste Recycling

pgray — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:33:26 +0000

You may know that recycling obsolete electronics conserves resources and keeps lead, mercury and other toxins out of our land and water. But it’s harder to know exactly where you can recycle those old electronic devices.

A new website, eWasteCalendar.com, collects information about electronic waste recycling opportunities nationwide so users will be able to find a easy, safe way to dispose of e-waste and share info about recycling events.

eWasteCalendar.com will be important as e-waste recycling legislation takes effect in Illinois and other states and the number of recycling options increases.

ELPC’s Nickerson Discusses Digital TV Conversion and E-Waste Recycling

elpc — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:25:30 +0000

On June 12, television broadcasts in the U.S. switched from analog to digital. After the switch, older televisions require a digital converter to receive broadcasts.

This conversion could prompt millions of Americans to dispose of older television sets. Each television contains large amounts of toxins such as lead and mercury that can end up in our soil and groundwater if televisions aren’t recycled.

ELPC helped to spread the word about the importance of recycling televisions and other e-waste through an interview on Chicago Public Radio and a segment on NBC 5.

ELPC worked with the state of Illinois to enact one of the toughest e-waste recycling and reuse laws in the nation. When Illinois’ e-waste recycling law takes effect January 1, 2010, manufacturers will begin creating more options for consumers to recycle electronics at no cost.

Here are some important facts about the digital tv conversion:

1. If you use cable or satellite TV, you don’t need to change anything.

2. You don’t need to dispose of older analog TV’s, but you’ll need a digital tv converter box to recieve broadcasts. Find out how to get a converter box at www.dtv.gov

3. If you decide to replace your television, please take it to a responsible recycler. You can locate a recycler near you at this website. A list of TV recycling options in the City of Chicago is available here.

ELPC’s Nickerson Honored as a “Green Revolutionary”

pgray — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:57:36 +0000

ELPC Staff Attorney Melville Nickerson was honored by Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry as leader in the environmental movement for his work in 2008 to draft and negotiate Illinois’ Electronics Recycling and Reuse Act. The Electronics Reuse and Recycling Act is the nation’s strongest e-waste recycling bill and will keep toxins out of landfills and create new green jobs in Illinois.

Mr. Nickerson will be featured in “Green Revolution” – an exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry that explores green technology and innovation and features African American leaders in the green movement. The exhibit is open through March 1, 2009.

New Electronic Waste Recycling Bill Signed in Illinois

jgeiger — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:17:40 +0000

Illinois passed new legislation today requiring electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle or reuse electronic waste (e-waste). Senate Bill 2313 is one of the most comprehensive pieces of e-waste recycling legislation in the nation. Sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett and State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, the bill creates a system by which manufacturers will partner with recyclers, refurbishers, and others to ensure that home computers, laptops, monitors, televisions, and printers will be kept out of Illinois landfills. ELPC Policy Advocates Joe Shacter and Mel Nickerson have played lead roles in framing the e-waste policies, negotiating with a wide range of industry interests, and advocating effectively for enactment of this important legislation.

“E-waste recycling will be easy for people, create new jobs for our state’s economy, and reduce toxic pollution of our environment. It’s a real win-win-win for Illinois,” said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, which helped draft the legislation. “Illinois is now a national leader in solving the problem of e-waste, the fastest growing element of our country’s solid waste stream.”

ELPC Video

ELPC Advocate Mel Nickerson discusses the e-waste bill’s benefits to Illinois.

E-Waste Recycling Close to a Reality in Illinois

elpc — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:01:15 +0000

The Illinois Senate unanimously passed amendments to an Electronic Waste or E-Waste legislative bill today championed by ELPC. The passage today marks another significant accomplishment of the campaign to bring a market-based approach to recycling E-Waste to all Illinois residents. The Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act will require electronic manufacturers to set up a take back program for used electronics or to partner with local recyclers to offer residents more E-Waste recycling venues close to home.

Chicago Public Radio Quiz Show Highlights E-waste Recycling Bill

elpc — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:51:27 +0000

Check your knowledge of current environmental issues by listening to the annual Earth Day quiz on Chicago Public Radio’s Worldview with ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. This year’s quiz featured questions and answers about the electronic waste recycling bill that recently passed the Illinois Senate, as well as a few upcoming environmental events. Listen to the show.

Supporting Electronic Waste Recycling

elpc — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:44:47 +0000

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.