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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.

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.

Washington State Starts Free Electronics Recycling Program - Residents can recycle their PCs and TV sets

Local news for the Wenatchee, Washington area

In the new year, recycling your computer or TV will be free. A new program coming to Washington and Oregon will try to keep toxic chemicals out of the environment.">

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.

Bromine Science and Environmental Forum - Various studies on brominated flame retardants

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.

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.

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

FREE RECYCLING OF television sets, laptop and desktop computers and monitors is available in Jefferson and Clallam counties, thanks to the state's new E-Cycle Washington program. That means no one needs to throw away such gear and add to already stuffed landfills. Households, businesses, school districts, government agencies and nonprofit groups can take advantage of the free program.