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"Electronics recycling programs continue to proliferate across the country as well as internationally. There are now 23 states with some type of electronics recycling law, all at different stages of implementation and with varying rules and regulations. Many are looking for joint solutions to common problems as well as areas where they can harmonize and share lessons learned. "

A furniture refinishing company has launched a new electronics recycling program to deal with waste electronics generated by furniture remodeling projects. The Refinishing Touch is an Alpharetta, Ga., company that offers on-site furniture refinishing, re-upholstery and armoire modification services to hotel chains and the federal government. Recently the company has conducted armoire modifications for several hotel chains upgrading television sets in guest rooms from CRTs to HD flat panel displays. The company is launching the new program to deal with those discarded displays. The company will guarantee TVs accepted through the program are recycled in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration and EPA industry standards as well as all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. The company also is in the process of gaining no-landfill certification for the program. Waste & Recycling News, 1/13/10.

Report by Anna Werner. A CBS 5 investigation which uncovered a huge loophole into California's e-waste recycling laws is prompting enforcement action in a neighboring state. California's recycling rules are so strict that the state sends its electronic waste across state borders. CBS 5 Investigates found a huge pile of glass from California's TVs and monitors in Arizona, a pile that environmental experts said contained potential environmental hazards. Now officials in Arizona agree.

"According to the Consumer Electronics Association, digital television sales are up over 30 percent compared to this time last year.TV sales are getting a big boost from the mandatory switch to digital TV signals.And while an estimated 76,000 households in Chicago still aren't prepared for the change, come tomorrow, TV's going digital anyway. So what happens to all those old TVs being kicked to the curb? Melville Nickerson is a staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center explains what to do with them." Chicago Public Radio, Eight Forty-Eight, 6/11/09. Podcast.

Text of the pending Wisconsin e-waste law. This bill passed the WI Senate and arrived in the Assembly Tuesday, 6/16/09. Would require manufacturers of select consumer electronics (computers, printers and video display devices, such as TVs or monitors) to collect and recycle 80 percent of the weight of sold devices beginning in September. Beginning in February 2010, retailers can't sell electronics made by manufacturers that are not registered with WDNR. Manufacturers failing to meet their targets would be subject to a shortfall fee after 2010. Those who exceed their goals may be eligible for recycling credits. (Summary of bill taken from related article in GreenerComputing, 6/16/09.)

This portion of the Electronics Take Back Coalition web site includes a map of the U.S. noting which states have passed or are considering e-waste regulations. Links to the text of the laws and program web sites are provided. Also includes information for

Indiana law signed 5/13/09. Manufacturers of video display devices, such as TVs, computer monitors and laptops, must recycle 60 percent by weight of their sales of those products. They are required to register with the state by April 2010 and must include a plan describing how they will meet their recycling targets. They can count the recycling of other electronics, such as printers, keyboards and VCRs, toward their recycling goals. Manufacturers must report their progress at the end of each program year for state review. In the third year, the state will impose penalties for noncompliance.

Illinois e-waste legislation that requires manufacturers to establish facilities to accept e-waste from consumers. The law is on a rolling basis and over the next few years the recycling requirements will kick in and by 2012, disposal of certain e-waste in municipal waste and sanitary landfills and at incinerators will be prohibited. The E-Waste Act only applies to electronic equipment taken out of use from residences, but it affects many of the businesses involved in the stream of electronic commerce. There is a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each day of violation. Devices covered in the legislation include computers, cell phones, televisions, PDAs, printers, fax machines, game consoles, VCRs, DVD players, iPods and others (calculators and typewriters are NOT included).

Text of e-waste legislation signed by mayor of New York City 4/1/08. New York City is the first municipality to pass an e-waste recycling bill; the law requires manufacturers of certain electronic equipment to create a collection program for any person in the City who wants to properly discard of their electronics. The bill also bans e-waste from disposal into the City's solid waste stream. Devices covered include: CPUs, computer monitors, computer accessories including keyboards and mice, laptop computers, TVs, printers, and portable music players.