The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is notifying companies involved in the selling of a range of electronic equipment that there have been advancements in recycling requirements for 2010.
The state law requires electronic manufacturers and retailers to properly manage discarded and unwanted electronic products, should they wish to sell their products in the state. These companies must establish a system for recycling and/or reusing computers, monitors, televisions and printers discarded from residences.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, computers, monitors, televisions and printers will be banned from landfill disposal.
Annually, the Illinois EPA sets a statewide goal for the amount of electronic scrap that must be recycled and then allocates that goal among electronics manufacturers based on various formulas included in the Act. The statewide recycling goal for 2010 is 31 million pounds. Manufacturers are required to pay for e-waste recycling and/or refurbishment up to the amount of their annual goal.
The law does not specify methods for manufacturers to meet these obligations, believing that the free market approach will determine over time the most cost-effective means of annual goal achievement.
The Illinois EPA has compiled a list of electronic scrap collectors that Illinois residents can contact regarding recycling either at no charge or in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar coupon which can be used to reduce the cost of new equipment. This page can be accessed through the Illinois EPA website (www.epa.state.il.us) and navigating through the Bureau of Land’s Electronic Waste Recycling Tab.