E-waste is an inevitable byproduct of technology and is currently a semi-hot topic for state and federal governments, making it an appropriate subject for this blog. What is e-waste? The term refers to any electronic device that is discarded, which includes computers, cell phones, cameras, TV's, microwaves, air conditioners, etc. The disposal of these items is particularly difficult due to the toxicity of the materials they're made of, such as lead or mercury, and even though some electronic gadgets are recyclable, systems for recycling them are sparse. In the material world in which we live, e-gadgets are a dime a dozen, and most people don't think twice about replacing their devices after only a few years, fitting nicely into manufacturers' planned obsolescence schemes. Furthermore, a trend has emerged where e-waste is shipped to developing countries for disposal, where environmental restrictions are less stringent.
How should governments handle this problem? The EU passed the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive), which puts the manufactures of our e-gadgets in charge of disposing electronic devices free of charge to the gadget's owner. Here in the U.S., Best Buy is starting a pilot program this summer whereby customers can turn-in their used e-devices to be recycled by the company. Here is more on their pilot program.
Not much has happened on the federal level in the US pertaining to e-waste, leaving the problem largely up to state governments to solve. Some states have started banning e-waste from landfills, which is standard practice in Europe. Here in Washington, S.B. 6428 passed in 2006, which requires manufacturers of CPEs, (covered electronic products) to implement and finance a system for recycling and disposing their products. The new law also requires the manufacturer's brand to be clearly visible on the product. Manufactures of CPEs are also required to register with the Dept. of Ecology annually.
For more information about individual states' e-waste policies, check out the National Conference of State Legislature's article on the subject.
