Governor Blagojevich signed 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.”
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. The one remaining step for the bill to become the law of the land is the signature of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, which is expected later this year.
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 signed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich 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.
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