Computers, cell phones, televisions, printers, copiers and other electronics have been banned from landfills in 17 states throughout the U.S. Seven of these bans took place in 2011 and 2 more take effect soon (Illinois in January 2012 and Pennsylvania in 2013). Electronics contain mercury, cadmium, lead and other hazardous materials and leach into the ground, so they should always be recycled; however, only 25% of electronics were recycled in 2009, according to USA Today (December 19, 2011). The changes in laws are helping to encourage all of us, and an example is found in North Carolina’s e-waste recycling program, which has seen a doubling of electronic recycling in the last year!
Look at the list of eCycling Partners, manufacturers and retailers, like Best Buy, HHGregg, Sony and Panasonic to see where they stand in their partnership with EPA and programs that are making a difference today and will set the standard for the future.
http://www.epa.gov/osw/partnerships/plugin/partners.htm
Plug-In partners demonstrate leadership and social responsibility by offering individuals opportunities to protect the environment by safely reusing and recycling consumer electronics.
Since the program began in 2003, Plug-In To eCycling partners have recycled more than 360 million pounds of electronics, including televisions, computers and cell phones. View highlights of each partner’s 2009 accomplishments.
All Plug-In To eCycling partners* have committed to:
- Supporting an electronics reuse or recycling program available to household consumers;
- Educating consumers about their program; and
- Safely managing the electronics they collect by ensuring that the electronics refurbishers and recyclers they use follow the Guidelines for Materials Management.
Think Outside The Bin resources for recycling electronics:
Melinda Anderson
Think Outside The Bin
Verde Mom
