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 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 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.
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.
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.
Electronic waste, or E-Waste, includes TVs, computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment. It is the fastest growing part of the solid waste stream, and can pollute ground water if it leaks out of even the most well-run landfill. ELPC is proposing legislation in Illinois to create an E-Waste recycling program.
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.
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.
Great news! Electronic Waste or E-Waste legislation, SB 2313, passed unanimously out of the Illinois Senate to establish an E-Waste recycling system in Illinois. Now, it’s on to the House and we need to make sure that our representatives know that we want to make Illinois a national leader in E-Waste recycling. Write a letter to your state representative to support E-Waste recycling in Illinois (SB 2313) today.
