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2005 Electronics Report:
Only nine of 35 state recycling managers believe that there will ever be a national agreement on
electronics takeback, according to a survey from Raymond Communications for the 2005 update of
"Electronics Recycling: What to Expect from Global Mandates."
The survey is in the appendix of the updated 200-page report, now covering U.S. legislation
and 23 countries from Europe and Asia in detail.
The U.S. survey indicated that fewer state officials are aware of the national
takeback negotiations that have been ongoing since 2001: in 2003, only one official was not
familiar with the NEPSI (national electronics product stewardship initiative) process - in 2004,
six said they were not familiar with it.
Moreover, the survey indicated that 11 states planned legislative action on electronics waste
in the next the next three years - ten said no.
The detailed report reviews all state legislation in 2004 (about 36 bills); status of
enacted bills; deregulation of electronics recycling in the states, plus Canada.
Other sections cover design for environment issues, plastics recycling, labeling, plus
coverage of the implementation of the Restrictions of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHs).
The international section covers 18 European countries and five Asian countries, including
electronics fees for 2004-5, explanations of current laws versus implementation of the WEEE/RoHS
directives, and updated details for dealing with regions such as S. Korea and Taiwan.
The updated appendix has more than 60 documents, including review of environmental reports
from 29 major electronics firms (2003), full texts of many existing electronics laws, labeling
criteria, recent translations, and slides from Raymond conferences and teleconferences.
The regular Take it Back! conference was held March 7-9 2005 in Alexandria VA.
A RoHS workshop on March 9 featured a member of the European Commission's Technical
Adaptation Committee, as well as presentations on testing, case histories, and China's laws.
There was also a teleconference Feburary 7 on China's WEEE/RoHS regulation.
Information on conferences, or to get audio CDs and Proceedings of past conferences or teleconferences, go to the conferences page or call 301-345-4237.
Click here for information on the electronics report or call 301 345-4237.
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Background:
The European Union enacted two directives in February 2003:
1. Waste Electrical and Electronics directive - or "WEEE" requires companies to ensure
takeback of end-of life electronic products. The directive includes nearly any product
with a battery or a cord, from tools to toasters; sewing machnes, mowers, computers,
phones, small and large appliances, toys, mainframes, peripherals, vending machines,
medical and industrial/commercial equipment. The directive may cover electronic items
in motor vehicles. Local governments must collect 4 kg per capita of WEEE. Companies must
be financially responsible to collect historic waste as well, through collective organizatons.
Manufacturers selling to businesses must take back one-for-one only, under proposed amendments.
2.Resctrictions on Hazardous Substances directive (RoHS) phases out lead, cadmium ,
mercury, and chromium VI, as well as three brominated flame retardants by July 2006,
on covered electronics, with a number of exemptions. For example, cathode ray tubes,
high-temperature solder applications, and "servers." are exempt. However, committees
have not decided on final definitions and threshhold limitations yet.
More facts, GLOBAL:
About 13 countries already mandate electronics takeback. Within about five years,
we estimate there will be about 28 countries with such laws.
In addition, about 20 countries also mandate takeback of rechargeable batteries,
and the EU is expanding the directive to include a wider range of batteries.
Note that 28 countries have fees on all types of packaging as well, costing
industry about $15 billion in Europe alone.
There are already about nine collection schemes operating in Europe for electronics
recycling. Sony, Electrolux, Braun, and Hewlett-Packard have formed an allaince to do
their own pan-European collection scheme.
NORTH AMERICA:
U.S. states proposed more than 52 electronics waste bills in more than 26 states in 2003 (There were about 36 bills in 2004, so far.)
Many of them were more stringent than the EU directives.
California recently enacted a fee on cathode ray tubes to pay for e-waste recycling,
though implementation of all new law has been temporarily postponed until October 2004.
About 38 states currently have e-waste collection programs of some sort,
according to Resource Recycling Journal.
A recent Florida survey indicated more than 80% of consumers were not aware computers could
be recycled.
The majority of Canadian provinces have the authority to require takeback of electronics.
Industry has agreed on a visible fee concept, as is negotiating with some of the provinces.
There is no word on if the provinces will want to require stewardship on more than just
computers, peripherals, and TVs, the items discussed by industry.
NEPSI: There are two factions within U.S. industry: the IT sector wants the option of
individual takeback and no visible fee. The balance of industry, including the TV makers,
are willing to go with a visible fee, as they will have the most to lose on historic waste.
Check this page later for more news and links!!
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