Guiding Principles of Electronic Waste Recycling Program

To view the full text of Recycling Advocates position on e-waste legislation click here

Purpose

• Establish statewide product stewardship system for used electronics.

• Ensure the environmentally sound management of the used electronics.

• Encourage the design of electronic products that are more recyclable and less toxic.

• Assist state economic development by promoting an infrastructure for the reuse and recycling of used electronics.

Shared Responsibility

• Manufacturers that sell in the state will be required to finance free, convenient and environmentally sound recycling services throughout the state that include collection, transportation and processing.

• Retailers will ensure that products they sell meet the legislation’s requirements and will act as the manufacturer for their own branded products.

• State and local government will work with manufacturers and retailers on educating the public and promoting the programs.

• The public – households and small businesses – will be responsible for bringing their used electronics to the collection points established by the programs.

Program elements

• Manufacturers will have the flexibility to either choose to offer own program or participate in a common program.

• The programs will initially cover televisions, personal computers and small personal computer peripherals (for example, printers and scanners) and be expandable to cover additional products.

• Programs should make recycling as easy as buying. Programs will take covered products of any brand and provide convenient collection across the state.

• Programs will promote the use of local collectors and processors of used electronics and ensure that materials are handled and processed in an environmentally sound manner. Programs will not use prison labor.

• Other than the costs for education and promotion, there will be no additional costs to state and local governments.

• Programs will provide compensation for collectors thereby providing an incentive for local governments, haulers, retailers and charities to conduct collection services.

Coordination with other states and potential federal legislation

• The legislation should allow an Oregon solution to potentially work with the system established in the State of Washington.

• While a federal legislative solution would be desirable, it is unlikely. Oregon legislation will allow a transition to a federal solution if it is as good as or better than an Oregon solution.