Free recycling of televisions, laptop and desktop
computers and monitors will be available in Clallam and Jefferson counties
starting Friday, thanks to the new E-Cycle Washington program.
That
means no one needs to throw away such gear and add to already-stuffed landfills,
said John Friederick of the Washington Materials Management & Financing
Authority, organizer of E-Cycle Washington.
Households, businesses,
school districts, government agencies and nonprofit groups can take advantage of
the free program.
The state Electronic Product Recycling Act requires
electronics makers to pay for E-Cycle Washington, and the companies collecting
equipment must adhere to state Department of Ecology standards for responsible
recycling.
For information visit Ecology's Web site,
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproduct
recycle.
Whenever I hear "E-Cycling," I think of some amazing new technology that allows
you to shoot your old trash and junk over to the recycling plant by means of
e-mail. Of course, it isn't - "E-Cycling" is simply the term used for recycling
and managing potentially hazardous electronic waste, and,
thanks to a new
state law passed in Washington
, managing that waste is about to become a
whole lot more pleasant.
Dell is expanding its consumer electronics recycling program with Goodwill and its own tech trade-in operation, while the M&K Recovery Group says it harvested 15 percent more copperware from computer gear than it did in 2007.
The companies detailed their latest activities on the e-cycling front in separate announcements yesterday. Such growth is welcome news in the drive to better manage tech waste.
The U.S. is awash in used, broken and old consumer electronics -- from cell phones and laptops to televisions and sophisticated entertainment systems. The number of programs to recycle goods is increasing, but those efforts have yet to check the flow of gear that's discarded every day.
Dell is expanding its consumer electronics recycling program with Goodwill and its own tech trade-in operation, while the M&K Recovery Group says it harvested 15 percent more copperware from computer gear than it did in 2007.
The companies detailed their latest activities on the e-cycling front in separate announcements yesterday. Such growth is welcome news in the drive to better manage tech waste.
The U.S. is awash in used, broken and old consumer electronics -- from cell phones and laptops to televisions and sophisticated entertainment systems. The number of programs to recycle goods is increasing, but those efforts have yet to check the flow of gear that's discarded every day.
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.
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.
Although some sites may collect other unwanted electronics gear, such as cell phones and printers, they may charge for taking those items because those are not covered under the Oregon E-Cycles program.
Electronics contain a host of hazardous substances, including mercury and lead. Even small amounts of these toxins can be dangerous. Electronics also contain valuable materials, including copper, gold and aluminum.
The CBS news program "60 Minutes" recently aired an investigative report tracking e-waste. "60 Minutes" reporter Scott Pelley discovered an illegal electronic wasteland in Guiyo, China.
Pelley and crew tracked a container of old computer CRT monitors owned by Colorado-based Executive Recycling. Gangs at the dump site tried to take CBS's footage, but the film crew escaped.
Executive Recycling called the report unfair and issued a statement: "Sadly, Executive Recycling appears now to be the victim of others who have obtained electronic and computer products from our company and then acted irresponsibly."
The company also said, "no business can be responsible for the subsequent improper actions of others who lawfully purchase products from them and hide their intentions to engage in misconduct."Although some sites may collect other unwanted electronics gear, such as cell phones and printers, they may charge for taking those items because those are not covered under the Oregon E-Cycles program.
Electronics contain a host of hazardous substances, including mercury and lead. Even small amounts of these toxins can be dangerous. Electronics also contain valuable materials, including copper, gold and aluminum.
The CBS news program "60 Minutes" recently aired an investigative report tracking e-waste. "60 Minutes" reporter Scott Pelley discovered an illegal electronic wasteland in Guiyo, China.
Pelley and crew tracked a container of old computer CRT monitors owned by Colorado-based Executive Recycling. Gangs at the dump site tried to take
OLYMPIA - If you're wondering what to do with those unwanted TVs, computers
and monitors stored in a garage or back-room, relief is here. E-Cycle Washington
is a new program that started on Jan. 1. It allows free and convenient recycling
of these electronic products.
The makers of these products are providing about 200 collection sites around
the state. State residents, small businesses, school districts, small government
agencies and charities can bring television sets, computers (desktop and laptop)
and monitors to these sites to be recycled. They will pay no fee for this
service.
There is no need to rush out this weekend - or even this month. E-Cycle
Washington is a permanent and ongoing addition to current recycling
opportunities available to Washington residents. Many collection sites will be
open several days a week and some will be open every day. And the collection
network will be continuously improved to meet the needs of the public.
Product Stewardship
Oregon E-Cycles is an example of product stewardship. Product stewardship
means that all parties involved in designing, manufacturing, selling and using a
product take responsibility for environmental impacts at every stage of that
product's life. Here's how the responsibilities are shared under Oregon E-Cycles.
Wisconsin- Department of Natural Resources has a list of suggestions for people wanting to host an e-cycling event. They asked people who have already been through these types of events what they felt worked and what didn't work.
Keeping it Green
E-Cycle
Washington
-
Households, nonprofits and small businesses can recycle televisions, computers,
monitors and portable computers FREE - (
see restrictions
)
YAKIMA, Wash. -- In its first month, Washington's new electronics recycling program has collected more than three million pounds of waste -- 20 percent to 30 percent more than expected.
Although pleased with the program's success, regulators of
E-Cycle Washington are asking people to wait a few months to drop off their electronics so collection sites can catch up with demand.
"Response has been good, but there are some capacity issues," said John Friedrick, director of the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority, which oversees the recycling network. "I anticipated there would be a lot more problems, but there haven't been. Overall, I'm very happy with it."
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.
Our newsroom has received a number of calls and e-mails asking why if the
State Department of Ecology is promoting free e-cycling, some people are being
asked to pay anywhere from $5-15.
We hopped online to the Department of Ecology's website.
It turns
out
stores like Staples and Office Depot charge you money for what's called
a drop-off box; you buy a box and can fill it with electronic recyclables.
We talked to Office Depot, and they tell us they charge the money for shipping
and the state's new ecology law does not affect them.
E-waste has been in the news a lot lately, with the 60 Minutes expose on toxic electronic waste illegally shipped to other countries, and reports from organizations like the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, who recently traveled to India to track the global e-waste crisis. People are starting to pay more attention to where their electronics go when we lose interest in them.
Living in an age of disposability has led many durable goods manufacturers to explore ways of reducing the environmental footprint their products leave during their manufacturing process and throughout their lifecycle. The sheer volume of mobile phones produced annually and the propensity of users to chase mobile technology trends leads to an average replacement cycle of between 12 and 18 months, bringing special attention to the greening efforts of mobile device manufacturers. As consumer awareness and environmental legislation continue to evolve, handset vendors are developing their corporate responsibility initiatives to develop new business practices aimed at improving the compliance and environmental sustainability of their handsets. The European commission and industry-led initiatives have made great progress in developing a set of requirements and goals for developing sustainable business practices across the entire life cycle of handset production, distribution, use and disposal. This study identifies and explores key global handset initiatives and the handsets that are coming to market as a result of vendors' efforts to minimize their environmental impact. It also offers an analysis of US consumer interest, awareness and preferences of green handset vendor initiatives. Available for purchase from ABI Research at this URL.
Let's talk about electronic waste, better known as
e-waste.
STORY TOOLS
Years ago, if a toy or appliance broke, your mom or dad would
try to fix it, often with mixed results. But few people understand how
e-products work, much less how to fix them.
When televisions and computers first came out, old ones were
often passed down to relatives, charities or to schools. But now, lower prices
and rapid development in technology are sending more and more televisions and
computers to the e-waste trash heap.
Just how many?
In 1970, the average household in Washington averaged one
television set per household, and personal computers were unheard of.
The Department of Ecology estimates that by the end of 2008
there will be one television for every person in the state and even more
computers than people.
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-Cycle Washington, a new program that started on Jan. 1, allows free and
convenient recycling of TVs, desktop and laptop computers, and monitors only,
according to a Jan. 12 press release.
The makers of these products are providing about 200 collection sites around
the state. State residents, small businesses, school districts, small government
agencies, and charities can bring these electronic items to the sites.
The program is
SPOKANE -- If you have old electronics collecting dust at home there's a free
and green way in Washington now to get rid of all that unwanted clutter.
Many of the electronics people use on a daily basis contain lead and mercury
making it harmful to just toss them into a landfill. That's why a new state law
requires makers of televisions, computers, laptops, and monitors to provide free
e-cycling facilities.