SEATTLE - A new state law that helps you get rid of your old electronics for
free is hurting charities.
Charities can no longer fix up old equipment to reuse it, but a brand new
bill headed to the state legislature Wednesday could bring some relief.
Representative Zack Hudgins' new bill aims to allow electronics collectors to
make minor repairs so they can reuse old electronics.
The current law is a problem for charities like Interconnection in Seattle.
Since the new recycling law went into affect on January 1st, they now have to
throw away hundreds of computers that could be put to good use.
At Interconnection, you'll find trained hands tinkering with donated
computers.
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.