VICTORY: Doing the right thing with e-waste

This post is one in a month-long series speaking to 15 of PennFuture's significant victories. It was 15 years ago this September that we began our work to protect the environment and champion a clean energy economy.

In 2010, PennFuture worked closely with Representative Chris Ross, R-Chester, and Sen. Ted Erickson, R-Delaware, to pass legislation creating a statewide electronic waste recycling program. The program includes computer equipment and televisions.

Some background: In late 2009, PennFuture's staff was approached by the founders of eLoop, an electronics recycling start-up in Allegheny County. They brought to our attention the problem of the disposal of electronic waste, or e-waste, and the need for a market-based solution.

E-waste comprises about two percent of the overall municipal waste stream but about 70 percent of toxic materials including lead, mercury and cadmium disposed in landfills. In states without a requirement to recycle e-waste, much of the equipment was either being thrown out with the trash or shipped overseas for processing in facilities lacking proper labor or environmental safeguards.

As we discussed the e-waste problem with industry, Rep. Chris Ross was also diving into the issue and working on model legislation with colleagues from other states on the Council of State Governments. Over the course of 2010, PennFuture strongly supported, and worked closely with, Rep. Ross to pass his House Bill 708. Rep. Ross masterfully threaded the needle on a complex issue, building the broad support of industry, legislators, manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, environmentalists and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Sen. Erickson sponsored companion legislation in the Senate and worked hard to educate his colleagues. Erickson's efforts were critical to quick passage in the Senate as the House did not approve HB 708 until near the very end of the 2009-2010 legislative session.

The law requires manufacturers of televisions and computer equipment sold in Pennsylvania to establish programs to collect, transport and recycle their devices. DEP must approve the manufacturers' programs. It is also now illegal to dispose of this equipment in landfills.

Not only is this equipment being properly recycled, new jobs and opportunities are being created as a result of this environmental victory.