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Oregon’s electronics recycling too successful for some manufacturers
Posted on May 14, 2009Electronics recycling in Oregon is booming -- so fast, in fact, that manufacturers, who agreed to take recycled materials from centers as part of a state-mandated program, say they soon won't be able to afford accepting more material. As a result, the group that mediates between recycling centers and manufacturers, the Electronic Manfacturers Recycling Management Company (MRM), is saying it won't pay for electronics waste local centers receive from community and church events. Oregon faces this unique issue due to a recently passed state law that requires manufacturers to pay for recycling for individuals or small businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
Take Back My TV's Barbara Kyle offers an explanation for why MRM isn't being more cooperative:
Barbara Kyle, national coordinator of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, said Oregon is doing well on collections because its legislation mandates convenience. Among the requirements: Any electronics recycling program must offer services in every county and have sites in all cities with at least 10,000 residents.
But the MRM letter reinforces that the companies, which say they support 100 percent recycling, "don't want to encourage people to bring their products back," Kyle said. "They want to do the minimum." [The Oregonian, 5/12/09]
Manufacturers claim that a down economy and what they perceive as the high cost of paying for recycling makes their participation in the program difficult. Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) warned manufacturers to expect higher returns as part as the state program as far back as last year. It's up to all parties involved to ensure consumers and businesses in Oregon continue to have effective solutions to recycle their electronics waste.
Read more about the State of Oregon's E-Cycle program here.
Press Coverage
A Program to Certify Electronic Waste Recycling Rivals an Industry-U.S. Plan
New York Times04-15-10 -- In addition to outlining safe domestic handling and disposal practices for old televisions, computers and other electronic devices, the system would effectively bar participating recyclers from exporting toxic, nonfunctional electronic waste to developing nations. The program will compete directly with a less stringent standard recently developed by industry and the federal government that companies and recyclers say makes more economic sense.
Electronics Recycling - Who’s Responsible?
Recycling Today12-29-09 -- As the lawsuit challenging New York City’s electronics take-back law prepares for opening arguments in mid-January, industry associations and electronics recycling advocates wonder what effect the court’s ruling will have on the future of producer responsibility.
A Green Way to Dump Low-Tech Electronics
The New York Times06-30-09 -- The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 99.1 million televisions sit unused in closets and basements across the country. Consumer response to recycling has been enormous in states where the laws have taken effect.
