There are now 17 states with similar programs; the National Center for Electronics Recycling tracks such laws. It estimates that just under 50 percent of the US population is now covered by such measures. They should be making a dent in the mountains of electronic garbage created in the U.S; in 2007, Americans generated about 232 million units of computer and TV-related E-waste, of which only 18 percent was recycled.

NERIC held a workshop at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas titled "Complying with the Patchwork: A Primer on State Electronics Requirements." The sessionhighlighted manufacturer and retailer requirements regarding the financing and recycling of used televisions and computer equipment. Eight U.S. states, encompassing 30 million US residents, have now enacted varied approaches to mandatory producer financing and implementation of recycling programs.NERIC held a workshop at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas titled "Complying with the Patchwork: A Primer on State Electronics Requirements." The session highlighted manufacturer and retailer requirements regarding the financing and recycling of used televisions and computer equipment. Eight U.S. states, encompassing 30 million US residents, have now enacted varied approaches to mandatory producer financing and implementation of recycling programs.

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.

New e-waste recycling laws passed in Oregon and Washington take effect on New Year's Day, requiring electronics manufacturers to recycled old hardware, and promising to spur the growth of responsible e-waste disposal. The laws, which passed in mid-2007 in Oregon and in 2006 in Washington, require manufacturers to pay for the recycling of their electronics products sold in each state, and is expected to collect as much as 12 million pounds of electronics in Oregon and about 25 million in Washington in the first year alone. The new laws are among the toughest in the country, and highlight what e-waste and public health advocates say is the best solution to the country's -- and the planet's -- enormous e-waste problem. As we found in researching electronic waste in 2008's State of Green Business report, the mountain of potentially valuable (and often toxic) electronic waste is growing substantially faster than companies and governments are able to collect and recycle it. In the wake of a harshly critical government report and an eye-opening exposé on television's 60 Minutes newsmagazine, e-waste has spent a lot of time in the limelight this year. And the new laws promise to help turn the tide from what activist groups have called "anarchy" in the e-waste takeback market.

Starting Jan. 2, Tacoma Goodwill will be a major participant in the statewide E-Cycle Washington effort. Goodwill will accept all electronic equipment -- including keyboards, printers, other peripherals and cell phones. Donations to the nonprofit agency are also tax deductible. "We offer more than 40 free, convenient drop-off locations across Western and Southcentral Washington," said Eric Hulscher, operations manager overseeing the program. "Participating in the program is in keeping with Goodwill's reduce, reuse and recycle efforts."

Maybe you just got a new TV or computer. Great. What's going to happen to the old one? You could sell it, donate it or recycle it. Just don't throw it in the trash."There are so many toxics in electronics it is very important that they be kept out of the landfill," said Tom Watson, King County's Eco-Consumer. He says those toxic materials include mercury, cadmium and lead. "In some of some of the older computer monitors and TVs, there are more than 4 pounds of lead in those," he said.

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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 got a brand new TV this holiday season, you might wonder what to do with your old one. Putting old electronics out with the trash can be bad for the environment, says Enterprise Sanitation owner Mark Deprospero. The batteries and tubing in the equipment can contaminate the ground, he says.

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.

The CHOOSE TO RE-USE partnership provides an alternative to the e-Cycle Washington program for reusable or refurbishable laptops and computers. It is available for households, non-profits, school districts, small governments and for-profit organizations with fewer than 50 employees. We urge you to consider submitting your old computers and laptops to the CHOOSE TO RE-USE partnership in order for them to be considered for the best possible form of recycling: Reuse!

eCycling Highlights Digital Television Transition | en Español Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronics? Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's an Easy Call. Responsible Recycling Practices Resource Conservation Challenge partnerships and initiatives on electronics The use of electronic products has grown substantially over the past two decades, changing the way and the speed in which we communicate and how we get information and entertainment. Our growing reliance on electronics is illustrated by some remarkable figures. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household eCycling Highlights Digital Television Transition | en Español Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronics? Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's an Easy Call. Responsible Recycling Practices Resource Conservation Challenge partnerships and initiatives on electronics The use of electronic products has grown substantially over the past two decades, changing the way and the speed in which we communicate and how we get information and entertainment. Our growing reliance on electronics is illustrated by some remarkable figures. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household

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.

The program is operated by the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority, a quasi-governmental agency created by the legislation to work with the 200 or so manufacturers that sell computers and televisions in Washington state. In addition, the state Department of Ecology has certified four electronic waste processing firms - two in this state, one in Oregon and one in California - to disassemble the electronic equipment into separate materials for reuse or safe disposal, including glass, plastic, metal and toxic chemicals. The program is designed in part to stem the flow of electronic waste to Third World countries, where it is often dismantled crudely, threatening the environment, public health and the health of workers.

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.

SEATTLE - Hong Kong intercepted and returned 41 ship containers to U.S. ports this year because they carried tons of illegal electronics waste from the U.S., according to the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. By turning the containers away, Hong Kong thwarted attempts by U.S. companies to dump 1.4 million pounds of broken TVs or computer monitors overseas and an estimated 82,000 pounds of lead, a known toxin, in the devices. But thousands of other shipments probably slipped through, says Jim Puckett, head of the Basel Action Network, or BAN, a three-employee environmental non-profit that over eight years has become a respected watchdog over the rapidly growing electronics recycling industry.

In the 1970s, Gordon E. Moore theorized that computer processing power doubles about every 18 months especially relative to cost or size. His theory, known as Moore?s Law, has proved largely true. Thinner, sleeker, and faster computers have replaced the big boxes and monitors people once owned 10 years ago. This phenomenon is not limited to computers. Each day, various types of consumer electronics are constantly being upgraded or completely scrapped in favor of technological advancements. In the process, scores of old VCRs, walkman cassette decks and bulky video cameras become what is known as ?e-waste? or electronic waste.