Under the bill, beginning on September 1, 2009, a manufacturer may not sell a covered electronic device at retail, or to a retailer for resale, unless the manufacturer registers with the Department of Natural Resources, collects and recycles or arranges for the collection and recycling of certain electronic devices, makes required reports, and pays certain fees.
The registration must include a list of the manufacturer’s brands that are sold in this state, contact information, and a certification that the manufacturer complies with the requirements in the bill. Beginning in 2010, the bill requires a manufacturer to disclose, when it registers, whether its covered electronic devices comply with European Union limitations on the presence of certain hazardous substances, including lead and mercury, in electronic devices.
The bill authorizes DNR to revoke the registration of a manufacturer that violates the requirements in the bill.
According to Amber Meyer Smith, program director at Clean Wisconsin, the current system for properly disposing of e-waste proves inefficient with only 10 percent of electronics properly recycled.
"Making it easier for consumers to properly dispose of electronic waste will have a substantial impact on the health of our environment," said Smith. "Our office alone recycled over 400 pounds of e-waste last year. Imagine the impact if businesses and families across the state had a convenient avenue for properly disposing of such waste."