The Utah House of Representatives has passed HB 0153, which requires manufactures and consumer electronic device recyclers to provide a method to collect electronic scrap from residents of the state at no cost. The bill also requires that manufacturers and electronic scrap recyclers to register with the Solid and Hazardous Waste Division of the Department of Environmental Quality. The proposed charge for initial licensing would be $3,000.
It is estimated that there are around 80 manufacturers and recyclers of the electronics located in the state. The bill estimates that revenue from the licenses would total around $240,000 for FY 2011, with revenues for subsequent years dependent on renewal fees.
Sponsor of the bill is Rep. Rebecca Edwards (R).
The estimated ongoing cost to implement and administer provisions of this bill is $223,000 from the state’s General Fund.
The bill stipulates that a consumer electronics recycling program would be established within the state’s Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste. The division would maintain and make publicly available on its Web site the following: a current list of manufacturers registered under this part; registered recyclers; and designated recycling drop-off points.
The division also will make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, that establish the security and destruction of data requirements concerning data remaining on a consumer electronic device recycled in accordance with this part; the method and timing of submissions of requests for payment of reasonable recycling costs made by a registered recycler; environmental and handling requirements for the recycling of consumer electronic devices by a registered recycler; liability insurance requirements for a registered recycler on the basis of the potential liability of the registered recycler for damages in connection with the recycling of a consumer electronic device; and subject to Subsection, an administrative penalty for a violation of this chapter.
The bill also calls for the division the possibility of imposing an administrative penalty against a registered recycler or manufacturer for violating the established rule. The penalty could include the suspension or revocation of a registration; a cease and desist order; or a fine.
The House Bill also calls for each county to designate at least one recycling drop-off point within the county where a consumer may drop off a consumer electronic device for no charge to the consumer.
In designating a recycling drop-off point, a county may consult a local health department or solid waste district within the county.
A county that is not a county of the first-class or second-class may designate one or more recycling drop-off points within the county where a consumer may drop off a consumer electronic device for no charge to the consumer.
A manufacturer may designate one or more recycling drop-off points within the state where a consumer may drop off a consumer electronic device for no charge to the consumer.