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New law changes how we recycle old electronics itemsJan 16, 2011 (Beaver County Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- That old television that's been sitting in the garage/basement/attic collecting dust? Don't even think about throwing it away. On Jan. 23, a new state law goes into effect that will soon make it a crime to trash televisions, computers and some computer-related devices. The new Covered Devices Recycling Act, adopted by the state Legislature on Nov. 23, bans televisions, computers and computer-related devices from being thrown out with other solid waste. In adopting the act, Pennsylvania joined more than 20 other states that have enacted similar legislation. Environmental advocates say the measure is a crucial step toward reducing the amount of toxic substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium -- found in many electronic devices -- that seep out of landfills and escape into the atmosphere. The ban takes effect in January 2013, theoretically giving consumers two years to prepare. But some landfills have already stopped accepting the items, forcing garbage haulers to refuse to pick them up. And the new law has an immediate impact on computer and television manufacturers. They're required to come up with new opportunities for consumers to recycle electronics instead of trashing them. FOR CONSUMERS ... ... the new law means more legwork, and expense, to get rid of unwanted electronics. Televisions are especially problematic, according to Charles Raabe, director of the county department of waste management. "We're basically the only game in town," Raabe said. And it's not a money-making game. "We're more or less taking them out of necessity," he said. "We tried to set something up to where we can actually cover the cost." Raabe said the agency charges about $35 to accept televisions over 36 inches, and $20 for smaller televisions. Residents who don't want to pay the recycling fee will have few options once garbage haulers stop accepting them. Brighton Township got a taste of one possible outcome of that scenario with its previous waste-hauling contract, which didn't include pickup of televisions and monitors. "It wasn't uncommon to be driving around and see them lying off the side of the road," said township manager Bryan Dehart. To combat the illegal dumping, the township had to implement a program in which it would collect those items and pay the fee to process them through the county recycling center. "It gives people a method of getting rid of them," Dehart said. "They didn't want to be the one that went to the county recycling center and paid the $20 fee to get rid of them ... . When there wasn't any other option, that's what happened." FOR RETAILERS ... ... the law means checking a DEP-maintained registry to make sure they're only dealing with manufacturers that comply with the new requirements. They're also obligated to notify their customers about where and how to recycle relevant electronics. But there's a measure built into the law to encourage retailers to comply, DEP spokesman John Repetz said. They're allowed to charge customers a fee for taking the unwanted items, as long as they give back an equal or greater amount in coupons or other shopping incentives. Best Buy, for example, charges $10 for televisions and monitors, but in turn gives the customer a $10 Best Buy gift card, which helps drive business to the store FOR MANUFACTURERS ... ... the new law means paying Pennsylvania $5,000 per year for the privilege of selling products in the state. Computer and television manufacturers are required to register annually with the state, pay the fee, and provide a list of all relevant electronics they'll be selling in Pennsylvania, as well as a report on the amount of items -- calculated by weight -- they sold the previous year. They're also required to develop a plan for collecting and recycling a quantity of electronics that equals the amount sold. The annual fee will go into a fund to help support the state's electronic waste recycling program. But State Rep. Jim Marshall, R-14, Big Beaver, the only Beaver County representative to vote against the final bill, said he fears manufacturers won't simply absorb the added fees. "This is an additional cost that the manufacturers will pass down the chain, ultimately, to the consumers," Marshall said. "Ultimately, everyone that purchases these systems from any manufacturer will be paying for that recycling." RECYCLE HERE Several local organizations accept unwanted computers, including Job Training for Beaver County. Program manager Richard Riley said computers don't have to be in working order to be dropped off at the organization's Beaver Valley Mall office. "We're here first and foremost as a recycling center," Riley said. "If the computers do still have some residual value, they go to our partners, goodwill, in Lawrenceville, and they'll refurbish them and sell them off in their thrift shops." Computers can also be donated directly to Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, or dropped off at the Beaver County recycling center. INCLUDED l Televisions l Desktop and laptop computers l Computer monitors l Computer accessories including keyboards, printers and scanners EXCLUDED l Factory-installed automotive components l Clothing washer and dryer components l Refrigerator and freezer components l Microwave, conventional oven and stove components l Dishwasher components l Air conditioner components l Dehumidifier components l Air purifier components l Exercise equipment components l Telephones, all types l PDAs l Calculators l MP3 players l GPS devices Beaver County Waste Management electronic recycling data for 2010 (does not include any items people may have recycled through another place, such as Goodwill). Televisions, all sizes: 104 Computer monitors: 34 Central processing units (computer towers): 46 Laptop computers: 7 Printers, various sizes: 32 Battery back-up devices: 12 Copier machines: 8 Fax machines: 2 DVD players: 2 VCRs: 14 To see more of Beaver County Times, Pa., or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesonline.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Beaver County Times, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |