Electronics Recycling

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has informed sellers of electronic devices that the implementation date for the collection of California’s Electronic Waste Recycling fee has been postponed until Nov. 1, 2004.

According to an electronic newsletter issued by CIWMB, which offers updates on the implementation the state’s Electronic Waste and Recycling Act of 2003, in light of difficulties in establishing an efficient Electronic Waste Recycling Fee collection and remittal system, the legislature passed AB 901 as an urgent measure. Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law June 30.

Additional information on the recycling fee can be found online at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/electronics/Act2003/Retailer/Fee.

The legislature continues work on SB 50, a bill that "cleans up" some technical matters in the original Electronic Waste Recycling Act, according to the CIWMB e-newsletter. More information on this bill’s progress can be found at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

Panasonic, Thomson and JVC have agreed to establish a recycling program for the electronics and electrical equipment industries, in compliance with the requirements of the European Union’s Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

The WEEE Directive requires manufacturers to arrange for or contribute to the transport, recycling, treatment or disposal of waste electrical equipment.

The companies will establish a recycling program in each member state of the EU when industry- or sector-related collection schemes are not feasible or cost competitive and will supervise the entire recycling operation where necessary.

Initially, the main focus will be on solutions for the German market, but the recycling program may be extended to other EU countries, taking local conditions into account.

The agreement will cover WEEE categories, such as consumer electronics and IT products, as well as other categories, such as white goods. This collaboration may be further developed, as it will remain open to other partners within these and other sectors in order to reinforce the impact and cost efficiency of the program.

The agreement aims to improve pollution prevention through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery and to increase the economic and environmental efficiency of the recycling program through economies of scale.

JVC, Panasonic and Thomson say their cooperation on this issue testifies to their commitment to sustainable development.

Dell has announced that it is offering an additional $200,000 in grant money to U.S. communities conducting computer recycling events this fall.

The company will award a series of $10,000 grants to 20 select state and local governments, universities and other non-profit groups, nearly doubling the number of organizations that participated in the spring 2004 pilot program.

Through the spring program, which awarded $10,000 grants to 12 organizations, more than 800 tons of unwanted computer equipment was collected in communities from Alaska to South Carolina, according to Dell.

"This grant program has demonstrated success in keeping reusable and recyclable equipment out of landfills while raising awareness of responsible product end-of-life options," Pat Nathan, Dell’s sustainable business director, says. "By working with our grant recipients and the National Recycling Coalition, Dell continues to spread the message that no computer should go to waste."

Through Dell’s partnership with the National Recycling Coalition (NRC), Washington, grant recipients are also provided a series of technical assistance forums led by the NRC.

"The most effective solutions to building our nation’s electronics recycling and reuse infrastructure are those that incorporate shared responsibility and public-private partnerships—this grant program is an innovative step in that direction," Kate Krebs, executive director of the NRC, says.

A grant review board of individuals from a variety of Dell business units, government organizations and experts from environmental and recycling organizations will review the proposals. Decisions will be announced Aug. 30, 2004, at the National Recycling Coalition’s Annual Congress and Expo in San Francisco, Calif.