Electronics Recycling

Government Officials Call for Withdrawal of CEA/ITIC Lawsuit

Representatives from 18 states as well as from various associations have joined with officials from across the country in calling for the electronics industry to withdraw its lawsuit against the New York City electronics recycling law.

In a letter to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC), who filed the lawsuit, state and local government representatives express their continued support for state and local laws that give electronics manufacturers the responsibility of financing effective take-back services for all the products they are selling in those states. 

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court July 24, argues that the New York City electronics recycling law passed in April 2008 is unconstitutional. The city’s law requires the electronics companies to collect and recycle old electronic products. Nineteen states have passed  similar producer take-back laws. 

Local governments in New York, Oregon and California have submitted an amicus brief to the court providing legal arguments challenging the industry claims in the lawsuit and supporting New York City’s right to enact such a law. Two states, Maine and Washington, have provided affidavits that were submitted as part of New York City’s defense. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also has intervened in the case, in support of the city’s law, and is now a party to the case.

Wisconsin Governor Signs Bill Addressing Electronics Recycling

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has signed Senate Bill 107, a law designed to provide consumers in the state with access to convenient sites where they can properly recycle and dispose of electronics.

“For years, consumers have lacked an adequate system for conveniently and responsibly disposing of outdated electronics, and these products have either cluttered shelves in basements, closets and garages or ended up in landfills, where they leach toxic chemicals into our air and water,” says Amber Meyer Smith, program director at Clean Wisconsin, the state’s largest environmental advocacy organization. “The law signed today will make sure that the manufacturers of electronics empower consumers to do the right thing by providing them with a convenient solution for disposing of e-waste without jeopardizing the quality of our environment and the health of our families.”

The bill, authored by Sen. Mark Miller and Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber, bans certain electronics from landfills and requires manufacturers of these electronics sold in Wisconsin to provide consumers with a means of properly disposing of electronic devices. The bill passed both legislative chambers, passing the Assembly by a vote of 57-37 and the Senate with a vote of 23-10.

“Our legislators in the capitol deserve great praise for committing to make Wisconsin a cleaner, healthier place to live by providing consumers with a convenient means of properly recycling dangerous e-waste,” Smith says.
 

MRM Partners With Electronic Recyclers International
MRM, Washington, D.C., a provider of electronics recycling management services to manufacturers, is collaborating with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), an electronics recycler based in Fresno, Calif. The agreement expands MRM’s recycling infrastructure in the state of Massachusetts, according to a press release.

Under the program, end-of-life electronics from Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America Inc., Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba can be dropped off by Massachusetts residents at ERI’s Gardner, Mass., location free to the consumer. Also, MRM will pay for the recycling of the four brands in selected municipalities. Rebates will be offered to ERI-serviced municipalities that do not charge their residents for recycling. MRM will pay for the recycling of its brands in the Massachusetts cities of Bellingham, Bourne, Framingham, Gardner, New Bedford and the Dorchester District in Boston.

David Thompson, MRM president, says, “MRM continues to focus on enhancing the environmental sustainability of individual company brands and product offerings through convenient, environmentally sound and efficient recycling.”

ERI Chief Executive Officer John Shegerian  says, “MRM is doing a great job providing responsible electronic recycling options all over the country, and it is exciting to watch them grow.” He continues, “We are very proud to be handling the electronic recycling for them in portions of Massachusetts and look forward to other future partnering opportunities in other parts of the country.”