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LightRecycle Washington reaches 110% of 2017 goal

In 2017, LightRecycle Washington recycled 1,317,790 million mercury-containing lights, weighing almost 615,000 pounds, 110% of the annual collection target. LightRecycle, a manufacturer operated product stewardship program run by nonprofit PCA Product Stewardship Inc.

E-Cycle Washington begins 10th year

As the electronics stewardship program begins its 10th year, E-Cycle Washington has recycled 369 million pounds of computers, monitors, and TVs. Electronics manufacturers include the cost of recycling their products in the cost of doing business, in one of the most successful product stewardship programs in the country.

Washington drug take back law

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to fund and run a secure medicine return system in Washington, thanks to a first in the nation statewide drug take back law passed March 22, 2018.

Time to plan for solar panel recycling

An April 2018 article in Solar Power World covers the state of solar recycling:

First in the nation, statewide drug take-back signed into law

On March 22, 2018, Governor Inslee signed into law HB 1047, protecting the public's health by creating a system for safe and secure collection and disposal of unwanted medications (aka the Secure Drug Take-Back Act).

Recycling, China, and EPR

The recycling industry is feeling the effects of China's ban on importing certain recyclables.

EU approves new recycling rules

The EU approved new rules in February 2018 with "legally binding targets for waste recycling and the reduction of landfilling with fixed deadlines," including for municipal waste, textiles, hazardous waste, composting, packaging (65% by 2025), and minimum requirements for all extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs.

China tells manufacturers they are responsible for electric vehicle battery recycling

China issued interim rules in February 2018 that place the burden to properly recycle batteries from electric vehicles on manufacturers, including establishing maintence facilities for convenient repair or exchange of old batteries; incentives for proper disposal; a tracking system to deter illegal disposal; and training for recycling centers, according to Clean Technica:

EU electronics producers create new Information for Recyclers platform

"Easily accessible information about the presence of batteries, printed circuit boards or plastics containing brominated flame retardants in e-waste is what recyclers require," said Pascal Leroy of the WEEE Forum in Recycling Magazine, Feb. 28, 2018.

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