The average Oregonian with a pile of TVs, computers, or monitors in their attic or basement knows we have a problem with electronics products: what do we do with them when we’re done using them? And with a new electronic gadget on store shelves every few months, there’s more and more waste piling up.
Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States. It creates a garbage problem as more and more of these products end up in landfills, and it also creates an environmental health problem. Computers and TVs contain toxic materials like lead and mercury that can leach out of landfills into groundwater.
The Solution: "Producer Responsibility"
Companies that produce a product and put it on the store shelf should also take care of the product at its end of life. The consumer has little to no information on what materials and chemicals were used the the manufacture of the product or how to properly dispose of it. The producer is best able to make these decisions and therefore they should have the liability. But by-in-large, that's not what happens.
This "Producer Responsibility" policy saves the government money on solid waste programs, and it also gives manufacturers an incentive to design products that last longer, create less waste, are easier to recycle and contain fewer toxic materials.
That's why Environment Oregon is working to set up a free and convenient systems to collect products from consumers for re-use, recycling, or proper disposal, paid for by the manufacturers of the products.
Success!
In 2007, Environment Oregon successfully passed HB 2626 that created one of the countries first "E-Cycles" programs that assigns responsibility to manufacturers to take-back computers and television monitors. Then we participated in the state advisory workgroup to assure the successful implementation of the program.
The E-Cycles program began operating in 2009 and now has more than 200 collections sites across the state. The program was a great success in its first year with 18.9 million pounds of obsolete electronics processed -- well-above the 12.2 million pounds originally projected.
Next-Up: Batteries & CFLs
Mercury is a toxic chemical that can cause cancer and significant damage to developing minds. Unfortunately, no good system exists for assuring the proper disposal of reusable computer batteries and compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). That's why Environment Oregon is now working to pass legislation to assign producer responsibility to mercury-containing products.