Starting Sunday, state e-cycling program expands to allow sales of refurbished electronics

For Immediate Release: July 23, 2009

OLYMPIA – Washingtonians living in the digital age have faced a growing problem: a growing pile of broken, old, and just plain outdated electronic equipment that stacks up either in our garages or our landfills.

Nationwide, Americans discard around 2.5 million tons of TVs, computers, cell phones, and all of their accompanying accessories annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Among the more ominous consequences of this are several toxic substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants.

In response, the state Legislature established in 2008 an e-waste program that provides manufacturer-funded free recycling of computers, monitors, laptops, and televisions for households, charities, small businesses, school districts, and small governments.

Since the program began, Washington consumers have recycled over 9 million pounds of electronics.

This year, State Representative Zack Hudgins (D – Tukwila), working with e-cycling business leaders, led another successful effort to expand the program from a recycling service exclusively to accepting fully functional and refurbished computer equipment for resale or donation purposes. The new law goes into effect this coming Sunday, July 26.   

“The state, the nation, in fact the entire planet is struggling with this problem - what to do with discarded electronics equipment that could potentially contain toxins harmful to people and to the environment,” said Hudgins. “Once again Washington is leading by example, providing a green solution that not only prevents environmental degradation, it spurs economic growth in a burgeoning eco-conscious industry.”

The state E-cycling program is funded by electronics manufacturers. For more information on E-cycling, visit the state Department of Ecology’s website at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle/index.html

 

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