Across the nation, many states have rules and standards around electronic waste (e-waste) recycling and collection. While the standards vary from state to state, several connect collection requirements with the amount of electronics sold within that state by weight.
Currently, several states are looking to revamp their rules and regulations around e-waste collection. On July 10, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed HB 1455 into law, a bill making changes to the State’s e-waste collection program. As it stands, manufacturers are mandated to recycle 50% of the weight of products sold throughout the state. The bill, which goes into effect immediately, raises the target goals for TV manufacturers to 80% over the next two years and also raises penalties on a tiered system for manufactures that do not hit their goal marks.
The bill was deemed a “short term solution,” active for only two years while the State hosts a stakeholder process to determine an overhaul of the program. This overhaul will likely comprise changes to the determination of collection of requirements, penalty system and rules around collection locations.
Minnesota also attempted to change their collection program by altering the definition of video display devices to include devices that are 4” or larger rather than 9” or larger. The most important change was the changing of the collection formula of the manufacturer obligation to be calculated based on a three year average of devices collected rather than devices sold. The language was amended onto an environmental omnibus bill that ultimately was not signed into law, bringing stakeholders back to the drawing board.
E-waste stakeholder meetings are currently taking place in Michigan and New Jersey. CompTIA will continue to be active on this issue in all states considering changes, keeping our membership apprised of proposed changes.
