Need for action cited on e-waste

The Phoenix and other publications have helped to highlight the problems caused by our rising sea of discarded computers, cell phones, and other electronic detritus. Yet plans for dealing with this stuff in RI require action, says Clean Water Action.

Computers and televisions will be banned from the landfill starting July 1, but the state won’t have a plan for what to do with them unless the General Assembly takes action before the legislative session ends this week. If the general assembly doesn’t take action this year, the state will be facing significant increased costs for recycling.
 
In 2006, the General Assembly passed a law banning electronic waste from the Central Landfill starting in July of this year.
 
The Senate passed legislation early this month to create a system for the collection and recycling of computers and televisions. However, that bill has stalled in the House Committee on Finance
 
“The e-waste bill would save state taxpayer money, conserve space in the landfill, eliminate consumer fees, and support local recycling businesses,” said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action. “With the budget so tight this year, this bill is a great opportunity to cut state expenses and protect the environment.”
 
Thirteen other states including Connecticut have passed manufacturer-funded bills similar to the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act (S 2631a and H 7880) which integrates recycling costs into the product rather than charging taxpayers after the fact.
 
With the conversion to digital television coming at the beginning of next year, the state is expecting an increase of televisions coming into the waste stream. With the disposal ban coming into effect, the amount of recycling of all computers and televisions, and its expense, will increase. The Resource Recovery Corporation’s (RIRRC) voluntary e-waste recycling program has cost on average $125,000 per year.