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Basel Action Network (BAN) Toxic Trade News, 6/10/09. "The Environmental Protection Agency filed a legal Complaint and Compliance Order late last week against EarthEcycle, the electronic waste handler for several charity e-waste collection events held in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in recent days. Basel Action Network (BAN) tracked 7 sea-going containers of the collected toxic e-waste to Hong Kong and South Africa after assurances were made by EarthEcycle owner, Mr. Jeffrey Nixon, that the wastes would be recycled locally. The EPA complaint cites 7 violation counts for illegal management and exportation of 'Cathode Ray Tubes' - the picture tube of old computer monitors and TVs. The counts include 'unauthorized export of hazardous waste' and 'failure to prepare a hazardous waste manifest.'" Article also reports on the decision of certain charities to continue their fundraising relationships with EarthECycle despite allegations of illegal exportation of waste.

Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETBC) report card providing the organization's grades for television manufacturer/retailers based upon availability and scope of television take back recycling programs offered; the volume & visibility of those programs; public policy on recycling; and how responsible the offered recycling is. The full report can be downloaded from this URL in PDF format. Site also includes an explanation of the grading system, a chart showing the number of collection sites for each company, a link to the previous year's report, and information on how to find a local responsible recycler (U.S.A.). Individual company names can be clicked on to download the the company's individual report card.

KVUE News, Austin, TX, 6/23/09. Includes video with reporter Elise Hu. "Austin Democrat Kirk Watson says he's stunned by a veto from Governor Rick Perry of a bill that would have encouraged people to recycle their old TVs instead of throwing them out. Watson's measure would have called for manufacturers to take back their old sets. He says the manufacturers were OK with that, and that's why he's surprised Perry tossed it out. " Comments are interesting--people are perplexed as to why legislation would be necessary to encourage recycling; apparent ignorance of cost associated with electronics recycling.

6/30/09. Wisconsin businesses, institutions, local governments and organizations involved in recycling and refurbishing unwanted electronics have new tools to help them comply with state and federal regulations and plan successful electronics collection events. Includes information & links to a new WDNR guidance document, which ummarizes requirements that have been in effect since 2007 and includes a flow chart to help electronics handlers determine which regulations apply to them. Also includes links to a document providing tips for hosting a successful electronics recycling event.

Discussions are underway for the creation of an e-waste depot in Winkler.

Today the Fresno Fairgrounds hosted their monthly e-waste disposal where people come by and drop off their unwanted electronics such as television monitors, computers, and copy machines.

50 students recieving financial aid and in community college revieved refurbished computers

Oregon and Washington have collected almost 5 million pounds of electronic waste since their free recycling programs went into effect in January. The free recycling applies to TVs, monitors and computers, both desktops and laptops. Oregon reported about 1.5 million pounds collected in January, ahead of the 12.2 million pounds projected for the year. Washington said residents brought in slightly less than 3.3 million pounds, establishing a pace that would far exceed the state's projection of 25 million pounds for 2009. Officials, however, expect the pace to taper off a bit. People appeared to stockpile a large amount of electronics while waiting for the program to start Jan. 1. "Our recyclers told us they were just inundated at first," said Kathy Kiwala, manager of Oregon's electronics program for the Department of Environmental Quality. "The activity continues to be strong but not like it was the first two weeks," she said. Oregon and Washington have collected almost 5 million pounds of electronic waste since their free recycling programs went into effect in January. The free recycling applies to TVs, monitors and computers, both desktops and laptops. Oregon reported about 1.5 million pounds collected in January, ahead of the 12.2 million pounds projected for the year. Washington said residents brought in slightly less than 3.3 million pounds, establishing a pace that would far exceed the state's projection of 25 million pounds for 2009. Officials, however, expect the pace to taper off a bit. People appeared to stockpile a large amount of electronics while waiting for the program to start Jan. 1. "Our recyclers told us they were just inundated at first," said Kathy Kiwala, manager of Oregon's electronics program for the Department of Environmental Quality. "The activity continues to be strong but not like it was the first two weeks," she said.

Some wait hours for chance to discard electronic equipment The line of cars heading into the Kansas Coliseum stretched well beyond a mile down I-135 Saturday as environmentally conscious residents took advantage of a rare chance to discard unwanted electronic equipment. Jo Oliver, Sedgwick County's recycling coordinator, said the popularity of the county's first e-waste recycling event took everyone by surprise. "Everybody is just speechless," she said as five dozen workers unloaded cars, trucks and trailers that were driven into Pavilion 2. "The program is phenomenally successful.

A state law that just went into effect to encourage recycling of electronics needs some tinkering to make sure it doesn't inadvertently bankrupt businesses that fix old computers, says a state legislator whose South Seattle district includes several computer-refurbishing shops. The law allows consumers to recycle computers, computer monitors, laptops and TVs for free. In effect as of Thursday, it is being hailed as groundbreaking nationally because it marks the first time a state has forced electronics manufacturers to pay the entire cost of the recycling. But there's a big problem with the law, according to environmentalists as well as the computer refurbishers: It puts a big hurdle in the way of the computer rebuilders.

BRISTOL, Va. - There's a flip side to that newfangled cell phone found under the Christmas tree. Sooner or later, the outdated cell phones clogging the kitchen drawer have to go. However, when they do go, don't forget that those electronic beeps and whistles are powered by mercury, cadmium, lead and other toxic metals destined to seep into, and out of, a landfill. And toxic metals, such as mercury, can cause brain and kidney damage, as well as cancer, when released into the ground and air, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality reports. So, instead of dumping outdated gadgets and gizmos into the trash can, environmental and industry leaders recommend recycling, which, in the case of electronics, is known as e-cycling. For nearly six years, Bristol Virginia Public Works has picked up laptops, monitors and even fluorescent light tubes left in marked boxes by the curb. As part of a statewide e-cycling effort, the technology is carted off during regular pickups.

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All those new gizmos and gadgets gleefully pulled from beneath the Christmas tree are about to spur a high tide of household waste as piles of old gizmos and gadgets are discarded. By the time you dump in the usual remains of the holidays -- the packaging, wrapping paper, ribbons, stale fruitcakes and turkey carcasses -- daily household waste increases by more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, state pollution control officials say. Comment: Washington state has a new law effective January 1 which requires manufacturers of electronic items to accept and pay for recyling. Most large cities have a couple of designated sites where consumers can drop off tv's, phones, DVD players, etc at no charge. The law, passed a few years ago makes the manufacturers financially responsible. I'm sure that they have used this lead-in time to adjust the price of their products to cover the cost of recycling. Only time will tell if this method is successful. Whichever method is chosen for an area, the final cost will ultimately be borne by the consumer.Washington state has a new law effective January 1 which requires manufacturers of electronic items to accept and pay for recyling. Most large cities have a couple of designated sites where consumers can drop off tv's, phones, DVD players, etc at no charge. The law, passed a few years ago makes the manufacturers financially responsible. I'm sure that they have used this lead-in time to adjust the price of their products to cover the cost of recycling. Only time will tell if this method is successful. Whichever method is chosen for an area, the final cost will ultimately be borne by the consumer.

Scott County's electronic demanufacturing facility hopes holiday digital TV purchases will translate to analog TVs being recycled. To encourage e-waste recycling, Scott County residents can drop off electronic waste at no charge from now until Feb. 27 at Waste Commission of Scott County, 1048 E. 59th St., Davenport. In 2007, more than 15,000 pounds of e-waste -- anything with a circuit board or cathode ray tube -- was recycled between Thanksgiving and Jan. 4, said Erin Robinson, communications coordinator. Officials anticipate even more as many residents replace analog TVs to coincide with broadcasters' switch to digital broadcasting. However, all e-waste is accepted. Computers, monitors, videocassette recorders, DVD players, stereos, cell phones, cameras, printers and scanners are included. When the waste commission opened its e-waste facility in 2005, 560,000 pounds of materials were recycled. In 2007, the amount of material recycled jumped to 1.1 million pounds. Recycling e-waste saves space at the Scott County landfill and prevents toxic materials from entering it.

It's good for you and for the environment. A team of "Total Reclaim" soldiers glean what they can from old electronics, taking what's salvageable and safely processing the toxic materials within. "In particular, lead. Lead is found in the glass in televisions and monitors and it's also found in circuit boards in the solder," said Craig Lorch, Total Reclaim.

If you've been waiting forever to unload that old TV or computer, Jan. 1 is your lucky day. A new state law requires electronics manufacturers to start safely recycling four of the most-discarded items, with no charge to consumers. Washington's law is the first in the nation to require electronics producers to pay for the whole process. But, please, don't everyone haul your used computers, monitors, laptops and TVs to the recycling center the first week of January, industry and government officials are pleading. They fear a glut of electronic waste clogging the system just as it gets off the ground.