CRA Supports Advanced Recycling Fee on Electronics

As increasing amounts of electronic equipment become outdated and destined for the landfill, many states are considering recycling and reuse options for this growing waste stream. Groups in California, Idaho, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Nebraska and in the Carolinas are seeking support or introducing legislation for electronics recycling.

The Carolina Recycling Association recognizes the magnitude of the growing e-waste problem in the Carolinas and has come out in favor of the proposed statewide electronics recycling programs and the establishment of an advance recovery fee for this material.

CRA Electronics Recycling Resolution

Whereas, a cleaner environment and pollution minimization are vital to the States of North Carolina and South Carolina for the health, best interests, and future of its citizens; and

Whereas, discarded electronic equipment currently disposed of in landfills contains a variety of toxic materials/pollutants including one or more of the following: lead, mercury, selenium, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, brominated flame retardants, and, in older equipment, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); and

Whereas, old cathode ray tubes (CRT’s) found in computer monitors and televisions are at least 20% lead oxide by weight, with the average CRT containing about 4 pounds of lead; and

Whereas, used electronic equipment contains plastics and precious metals including copper, steel, aluminum which should be recycled; and

Whereas, in North Carolina and South Carolina it is anticipated that a significant volume of electronic equipment will be available for disposal, reuse or recycling each year, in addition to an unknown quantity of stored material; and

Whereas, the continuing technological advances fuel the rapid turnover of computers, televisions, cellular phones and other electronics; and

Whereas, the disposal of hazardous cathode ray tubes by commercial generators in municipal solid waste landfills is prohibited by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); and

Whereas, a comprehensive statewide program to collect and recycle old electronics is essential to insuring that recyclable materials are retrieved and that pollutants are not released into the environment; and

Whereas recycling the useable materials from discarded electronic equipment is consistent with the mission of the Carolinas Recycling Association;