Group items tagged

Do you have an old TV, laptop or monitor? Now you can easily recycle it for free, thanks to a new state law. The E-Cycle Washington program requires manufacturers to provide recycling services for TVs, desktop computers, laptop computers and monitors at no cost to residents, nonprofits, small businesses, schools and local governments. "The law puts the responsibility of end-of-life disposal costs on the manufacturer, rather than the resident or local government. This is important because recycling is a very expensive process," said Terri Thomas, education and outreach specialist for Thurston County Solid Waste. Before, residents either had to rely on Thurston County's twice-a-year Community Recycle Days or seek out other options, usually at their own expense, Thomas said. Perhaps that's why electronics are the fastest-growing waste stream, she said.

Oregon e-Cycles has a great website up for consumers to help guide them through the whys and hows of e-cycling. If you live in the area, simply type in your zip code and you're given a listing of local collection points. Oregon has another item that will launch next New Year's Day: on January 1, 2010, disposal of computers, monitors and TVs will be banned . Also launching on this New Years Day was Washington's new program letting people drop off certain e-waste items for free. They too have a search database for finding a local drop-off point , as well as a call-in hotline.

Collectively, state and local government purchase more than $35 billion worth of technology equipment annually*, and has the opportunity to provide leadership in the environmentally sound and cost effective management of electronic assets. The State Electronics Challenge (SEC) is a voluntary program that encourages state, regional, and local governments, including schools and other public entities, to: Purchase greener electronic products. Reduce the impacts of electronic products during use. Manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way.

It's in with the new and out with the old. For many, the holidays brought new possessions. But now it's time to figure out what to do with what you replaced. Several local options for getting rid of old clothing, furniture and household goods exist. A new state law will also provide places to drop off old electronics anytime of the year. The Salvation Army and Goodwill accept used clothing, furniture and household items. However, items must be only slightly used. "If you would give it to a friend, then you can give it to us," said Matthew Erlich, spokesman for Goodwill Tacoma, which operates in 15 Washington counties. Clothing items may also be donated to the Multi-Service Center's clothing bank in Federal Way. Donations go to local residents. Payment for the items will not be issued, but the gift is tax deductible.

The Basel Action Network and the Electronics TakeBack Coalition have joined with Electronic Recyclers International of Fresno to create the "e-Stewards Initiative" - a certification program for North America's most responsible e-waste recyclers. The e-Steward Initiative is described as the first independently audited and accredited electronic waste recycler certification program forbidding the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing countries, local landfills and incinerators; the use of prison labor; and the unauthorized release of private data.The Basel Action Network and the Electronics TakeBack Coalition have joined with Electronic Recyclers International of Fresno to create the "e-Stewards Initiative" - a certification program for North America's most responsible e-waste recyclers. The e-Steward Initiative is described as the first independently audited and accredited electronic waste recycler certification program forbidding the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing countries, local landfills and incinerators; the use of prison labor; and the unauthorized release of private data.

WALLA WALLA -- If your New Year's resolution involves tossing an old computer or television set, you're in luck. A new state-sponsored program, E-Cycle Washington, begins this year to allow recycling of certain electronic items free of charge. Items covered by the program are computers, televisions, laptops and monitors, although some businesses may accept other items as well. The program is open to private citizens, nonprofits and businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Two local companies participating in the program are CEP Recycle and Walla Walla Recycling.

A new electronic recycling program kicked off in Oregon this month, giving consumers and small businesses a way to discard their old computers, monitors and televisions, and free up some garage space at the same time. The Oregon E-Cycles program, run by the Department of Environmental Quality, lets Oregonians drop off up to seven items at local collection sites, including numerous locations in Tualatin, Tigard and Sherwood. Small businesses may also unload their electronic waste if they have less than 10 employees. Larger businesses may be charged a fee.

E-waste: search through any basement, attic or garage in America and you'll likely find some. Old computers and cell phones, your ancient TV that shows only a scratchy black-and-white picture, that broken printer. These are all examples of electronic waste, also known as e-waste - a booming facet of America's waste stream. Americans generate between 5 and 7 million tons of e-waste each year - and the amount is growing three times faster than other types of municipal waste, according to the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association. The association is a nonprofit interstate group of New England states - including New Hampshire - that coordinates waste and pollution prevention programs. Though e-waste itself isn't a new phenomenon, only within about the last eight years have states tried to grapple with how to properly dispose of electronics that contain chemicals harmful to the environment when simply tossed in a landfill or burned in an incinerator. New Hampshire is one of 18 states in the country to have a law regulating e-waste, and the law may soon get a little stricter.

Local news for the Wenatchee, Washington area

Public policy association for consumer electronics retailers. Outlines retailer positions on digital television issues, CERC realizes that consumer electronic recycling is on the forefront of the environmental communities' mind. How our nation addresses environmental issues in all walks of life over the next decade is a top global priority. As it particularly impacts our industry, CE retailers realize that they have an important role in working with other stakeholders and being active participants in developing and advocating for a successful national consumer electronics management system that we realize will have to be implemented at the local level.

Which Electronics Companies Will Take Back Your Old Computer, TV, or Other Electronics? Before you buy that new computer or TV, think about what you plan to do with your old one. If it still works and you think someone else can use it, then you might want to donate it to a reputable reuse organization. (Make sure the organization is accepting donations for local reuse - and not sending them overseas.) But if that's not an option for you, some of the electronics manufacturers offer recycling programs that you can use, often for free. Some will give you some trade-in credit towards new purchases. This report tells you who offers what services, how to use them, and how to get free recycling.

Oregon health officials are advising people to wait until a new law takes effect Jan. 1 to recycle electronic gear for free, but several local refuse collection services are accepting old TVs, computers and monitors now without charge.

FRESNO, Calif. - (Business Wire) Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, has teamed with KSEE-TV Channel 24, the Central Valley's News Station and Fresno NBC affiliate, to provide a series of free electronic waste recycling events for local residents. The first "RecyclAthon" event will take place on Saturday, January 3rd from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ERI headquarters on 2860 S. East Avenue in Fresno. The event will enable consumers to drop off unwanted computer monitors, televisions and other electronic items for free.

Product stewardship is a term used to describe a product-centered approach to environmental protection. It calls on those in the product life cycle -- from designers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, waste managers and disposers -- to share responsibility for reducing the environmental impacts of products. Product stewardship activities have been taking place globally for over a decade. In the United States, this idea is gaining interest as more state and local governments cope with large, ever-changing, and complex waste streams.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, joined Fresno Mayor Alan Autry and a host of other local business leaders to launch its new e-waste shredder - the largest and most efficient shredder of its kind in North America. Mayor Autry cut the ribbon and hit the "on" switch for the ceremonial launch, which took place today at ERI's new 125,440 square foot expansion facility at 3243 S. East Avenue in Fresno.

AP Report: KOMO News \ A free computer and TV recycling program starts Jan. 2 in Washington. The "E-cycle Washington" program was created by the Legislature. It's funded by manufacturers who sell electronics in the state. More than 200 sites are being readied at existing recyclers, retail stores and nonprofit agencies such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul. Based on other states, organizers expect to recycle 13,000 tons of old computers and TVs next year. A free computer and TV recycling program starts Jan. 2 in Washington. The "E-cycle Washington" program was created by the Legislature. It's funded by manufacturers who sell electronics in the state. More than 200 sites are being readied at existing recyclers, retail stores and nonprofit agencies such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul. Based on other states, organizers expect to recycle 13,000 tons of old computers and TVs next year. Check out the comments made by the audience regarding this story.

A furniture refinishing company has launched a new electronics recycling program to deal with waste electronics generated by furniture remodeling projects. The Refinishing Touch is an Alpharetta, Ga., company that offers on-site furniture refinishing, re-upholstery and armoire modification services to hotel chains and the federal government. Recently the company has conducted armoire modifications for several hotel chains upgrading television sets in guest rooms from CRTs to HD flat panel displays. The company is launching the new program to deal with those discarded displays. The company will guarantee TVs accepted through the program are recycled in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration and EPA industry standards as well as all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. The company also is in the process of gaining no-landfill certification for the program. Waste & Recycling News, 1/13/10.

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) have filed a lawsuit challenging New York City Local Laws 13 and 21 of 2008 and the implementing regulation, created by the City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) (Door to door collection of electronics by the manufacturers)