Rapid technological advancements have shortened the life of our everyday electronics as new models are released at an increasing pace, causing outdated models to be discarded. Less than 40% of electronic devices are collected for recycling, even though most devices are recyclable. Landfilling can lead to environmental contamination from toxic metals like lead and cadmium.
In 2004, Maine enacted the first electronics EPR law in the U.S., and since then, countless other states and the District of Columbia have enacted electronics EPR laws. Washington passed its electronics EPR law in 2006, which was followed shortly by Oregon, which passed its law in 2007. Most state programs are funded by electronic product manufacturers or by consumers through a small fee charged at the point of sale. Manufacturers are also responsible for planning and implementing convenient takeback opportunities for electronics when they are no longer wanted.
Programs
In 2006, Washington passed SB 6428, concerning electronic product recycling, creating an electronic manufacturer-financed and run producer responsibility system for the recycling of covered electronic products in Washington, known as E-Cycle Washington. E-Cycle Washington is run and financed by the Washington Materials Management & Financing Authority (WMMFA), an electronic manufacturing board-directed authority created to handle the recycling of covered electronics in the state of Washington. The Washington Department of Ecology provides oversight over the program.
- Washington State Department of Ecology Eelectronics: E-Cycle Washington
- E-Cycle Washington Program Page
- WMMFA Homepage
- NWPSC E-Cycle Washington Factsheet
In 2007, Oregon passed HB 2626, concerning electronic product recycling, establishing a statewide system for collection, transportation, and recycling of covered electronics products . The law allowed for the program to be run by electronic manufacturers, either by a single manufacturer or group of manufacturers or through a contractor program overseen by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and administered by a third party. In 2023, Oregon passed HB 3220, which amended the E-Cycles Oregon program to increase the scope of covered electronics products, improve collection convenience standards, and eliminate the state contractor program.
Resources
- Basel Action Network (BAN)
- Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) – Electronics
- Video: The Ugly Truth about E-Waste (2020) – Freethink
- Video: E-Stewardship: Taking Responsibility in the Information Age – Basel Action Network
About NWPSC
The Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC) is a coalition of government organizations in Washington and Oregon that work together to develop and improve Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies and programs