Electronics Recycling Ordinance Proposed in LA

Two members of the Los Angeles City Council proposed an ordinance Feb. 12 to require retailers to take back obsolete televisions and computer monitors and figure out how to recycle or reuse them. The ordinance would not cost anything to consumers, said Ruth Galanter, one of the two council members introducing the ordinance. The other council member is Eric Garcetti.

The two council members hope that the ordinance would take affect by as soon as next year.

The ordinance, to be prepared by Los Angeles’ City attorney’s office, will be based on a model ordinance prepared by the Californians Against Waste group. The Sierra Club also worked on bringing the issue to the surface in Los Angeles, according to Galanter.

Last year, despite intense opposition from industry lobbyists, the State Legislature passed legislation--SB 1523 that would have required manufacturers of all computers and TVs sold in California to pay an up-front fee. The state would have used the funds to properly recycle or otherwise dispose of the cathode ray tubes, which, because they contain lead and other toxic materials, are banned from California landfills. However, Governor Gray Davis vetoed the measure.

While Senator Byron Sher has introduced a new bill in Sacramento that deals with the Governor’s objections, Galanter said, “Los Angeles simply cannot afford to wait one year or even two only to see Sacramento fail to create a statewide solution again.  At a time where some are proposing to solve the worst budget crisis in state history on the backs of cities and counties, we simply cannot afford to pay for pick up and recycling of millions of pounds of obsolete e-trash.

The proposed ordinance would require all retailers of computers and television sets to establish a take-back program, under which consumers would be able to bring back the obsolete products to any retailer at no additional cost.  Retailers would then be responsible for the safe and proper recycling of the e-waste.  The

The measure is expected to be heard first in the Commerce, Energy and Natural Resources Committee that Galanter chairs, before being considered by the full Council.