Question by bebekyc: Is California the only state with e-waste recycling fee?
Do other states have similar laws for e-waste recycling fee like California? If so, does it also based on the size of the screen too?
Best answer:
Answer by whsgreenmom
I think we are the first state to initiate pre paying for our e-waste. I see that NY has a free e-waste program in some cities but it is only for specific household items like tv’s and PC equipment that is under 5 lbs. Everything else has a fee.
Unfortunately many people are unaware that these items contain toxins and are hazardous waste. I like the program, my husband is a programmer and replaces equipment more often than the average user, we used to keep things piled up in a back office, to save up for the occasional free drop off, now we prepay and have many drop off locations.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
California is certainly not the only state that charges for ewaste. I work for an electronics recycling company in Kentucky. We host several “colletion events” in the area in which we take many used electronics for free. This costs our company a great deal, but we feel that it is so important to keep electronics out of landfills and away from exportation that we are willing to do so. However, there are certain electronics (CRTs and TVs) that we must charge for because they simply cost us too much to recycle.
What’s really important is making sure that the company you recycle with is doing it properly. There are organizations out there that audit these companies. If you visit http://ban.org, you will be able to find a list and make sure that they don’t export the electronics to underdeveloped nations. Here is what can happen if we allow that to occur: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/08/04/magazine/20100815-dump-4.html
Just do your homework, and we can all help to make sure the world is a better place because of it.
Good question!
Alexa
I do not live in a state, but the province of BC in Canada does have a pre-pay recycling fee and I think it is across the country. Pretty sure that ours is a standard fee not based on the size of the screen.