Free and Easy E-Waste Recycling
Since January 1, 2009 Washington consumers have been able to recycle their electronics for free - thanks to a law WEC helped pass in 2006.
Easy and Free
E-Cycle Washington is a state program that gives consumers an easy and free way to dispose of their old computers, monitors, and televisions. To create this groundbreaking program, it took a broad coalition of unexpected allies working together.
Groups with over 10 units to recycle should call 1-866-779-6632 for instructions.
How It Happened
In 2006, WEC teamed up with Zero Waste Washington, Hewlett-Packard, Washington Retail Association, and other non-profits to pass this bill as one of the four Environmental Priorities.
The system provides a convenient, safe and more environmentally-sound recycling option for unwanted electronic products, paid for entirely by the electronics manufacturers.
At the time we won this victory, Washington was one of the first states in the nation to pass a law putting the responsibility on the producer, not the consumer, for recycling of electronics. Now other states are following our lead.
E Waste: A Growing Problem
According to the EPA’s 2009 figures (the year the program began in Washington), 82.3% of the 3.19 million tons of e-waste generated in this country ends up in landfills or incinerators, where dangerous toxins can leach into groundwater or get released into the air. The portion collected for recycling is largely exported to developing countries, which lack regulations to protect workers or the environment. In Washington, millions of pounds of unwanted electronic products were heading to landfills each year.
Progress
E-Cycle Washington has helped to change that by providing a comprehensive and convenient network of free collection sites. For the new program, the manufacturers have voluntarily committed to using recyclers who meet preferred standards developed by the Department of Ecology.
“Electronics manufacturers have done a great job of providing Washington’s citizens with a no-charge recycling option for electronics,” Department of Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant said. “And the public has responded, proving once again that our state’s recycling ethic is one of the best in the country.”
In its first two years of operation, E-Cycle Washington collected over 39,000 tons of televisions, computers, and monitors for recycling. As of May 2011, the program has collected 67.9% of the state’s old televisions, 23.1% of monitors, and 9% of computers (Washington Materials Management & Financing Authority).
While there’s still a lot of work to be done, this program is a big step forward in increasing environmental and health protections.
