Recycling has become a popular method for managing e-waste given the fact that personal computers and wireless phones easily become outdated. Last year the European Union began implementing hazardous-waste directives enacted in 2003, namely the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), and the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (RoHS).
WEEE requires member European Union states to establish systems for managing e-waste materials, and mandates that electronics retailers take back used equipment free of charge.
RoHS prohibits European sales of electronic products containing certain toxic substances.
Various U.S. states have followed Europe's lead in enacting e-waste standards. In California, on January 1, 2005, Electronic Waste Recycling Fee: CA Senate Bill No. 50 came into effect to help pay for the cost of recycling video display devices. Depending on the screen size, a retailer must collect and report a fee for retail sales or leases of new or refurbished: televisions that contain cathode ray tubes, computer monitors that contain cathode ray tubes or use liquid crystal displays, laptop computers, or cathode ray tubes or other products that contain cathode ray tubes. Purchases for internal use are also subject to the fee. The fee proceeds are used to pay e-waste collectors and recyclers for their services.
Comment Preview