CA Senator Offers Proposal for Computer Recycling

California’s State Sen. Byron Sher unveiled a road map to compromise that could bolster efforts to require electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle obsolete computers.

The proposal, which amends his hotly debated e-waste bill, could mean curbside pickup or drop off points at retail stores for outdated computer monitors and televisions that contain hazardous materials.

Hewlett-Packard and environmental groups have been working with the Palo Alto Democrat to find common ground on how to dispose of electronic waste that contains toxics such as lead and mercury.

A spokesman for HP, Gary Fazzino, said that the company is 75 percent to 80 percent in agreement with Sher. And environmental groups welcomed what they called a "producer responsibility" approach.

Other manufacturers were still reviewing the proposal. But Margaret Bruce of the Silicon Valley Manufacturers Group said, "California companies understand they have a significant role to play in having consumer electronic devices recycled."

Sher's proposal is intended to address Gov. Gray Davis' veto of similar legislation last September. Davis left the door open for Sher to try again, saying in his veto message "we should compel industry to solve this problem."

Last year's bill would have imposed an upfront $10 fee on consumers at retail stores to create a recycling program managed by the state's Integrated Waste Management Board.

Under the new proposal, companies would have to develop collection and recycling programs. Out-of-state companies would also have to show compliance to do business in California. Manufacturers would have the flexibility to contract with retail stores or local governments to set up collection sites or regional drop off points -- or pay a fee to cover the cost of recycling.

"Our goal is to work with the senator and the governor to craft legislation that can be enacted into law in the coming weeks and months," said Davis Isaacs, a policy director for HP that first announced it would work with Sher in November.

But there are still some areas of disagreement. Local government officials have been overwhelmed by the rising cost of disposing e-waste that is banned from California landfills.

Sher's bill -- SB 20 -- calls for manufacturers to deal with collection, while HP wants local government to share in the collection phase.