Easing the way for electronics recycling

05/25/2007

Jackie Crosby, Norm Draper
Star Tribune
Last update: May 25, 2007


Minnesotans will soon find it easier to dispose of old, unwanted television sets and computer monitors, under legislation that won final approval Wednesday and now heads to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is expected to sign it.
The measure will be one of the strongest in the nation aimed at recycling electronics, which are loaded with toxic minerals.

Supporters say the measure will reduce the numbers of TV sets and computers that are left by the road, tossed into woods and lakes, or even burned. They also say the need for easy recycling of TVs will grow in the next couple of years as people make the changeover from analog technology to digital.

The bill, approved in the House on Wednesday after earlier passage in the Senate, makes Minnesota unique for recycling such "e-waste" for two reasons: It requires manufacturers to rachet up recycling of their electronic products and to pay for those efforts based on the weight of all the TVs and computers they sell in the state.

Companies that don't meet their recycling targets would be assessed penalty fees.

"It's important because of the sheer mass of waste that's out there," said Sara Rummel, political coordinator for Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota. "You have the backlog of stuff people are keeping in basements, garages and closets because they don't know what to do with it."

It's illegal to dump such electronics in landfills, few garbage collectors will pick them up curbside, and recyclers often charge fees.

The bill affects home, not commercial, electronics.

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