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The Problem and the Opportunity How Illinois’ New Electronic Waste Law Affects Municipalities

The Problem and the Opportunity How Illinois’ New Electronic Waste Law Affects Municipalities. Illinois Association of County Board Members & Commissioners Spring 2009 Conference. The Statistics. 2.5 million tons of e-waste in ‘05 Only 13% recycled

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The Problem and the Opportunity How Illinois’ New Electronic Waste Law Affects Municipalities

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  1. The Problem and the OpportunityHow Illinois’ New Electronic Waste Law Affects Municipalities Illinois Association of County Board Members & Commissioners Spring 2009 Conference

  2. The Statistics • 2.5 million tons of e-waste in ‘05 • Only 13% recycled • Fastest growing element of solid waste stream • Much of it exported to third world

  3. The Solution in Illinois • Public Act 95-0959 - Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act • Sponsored by State Sen. Susan Garrett and State Rep. Elaine Nekritz • Enacted: September 2008 • First program year: 2010

  4. The Act in a Nutshell • On January 1, 2010: • Electronics manufacturers must implement recycling/refurbishment programs for residential: • Computers (including laptops) • Computer monitors • Televisions • Printers • The “covered electronic devices” - the “Big 4” • Recycling/refurbishment must be free to Illinois residents • All four devices will be banned from landfills as of January 1, 2012

  5. How the Act Will Work • All manufacturers seeking to sell products in Illinois must register • 66 already have • Illinois EPA to set annual recycling/refurbishment goal for each manufacturer • Manufacturers can meet their goals as they see fit • Free-market will dictate over time the most cost effective approach • No restrictions on which manufacturers recycle which brands • The 2010 overall goal: 31 million pounds!

  6. Key Features of the Act • Double-credit for CEDs recycled/refurbished in underserved counties • All but Champaign, Clay, Clinton, Cook, DuPage, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Jackson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, Livingston, Macoupin, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, St. Clair, Sangamon, Schuyler, Stevenson, Warren, Will, Williamson, and Winnebago • The other 73 are underserved

  7. Key Features of the Act • Triple-credit for CEDs refurbished instead of recycled, and then donated to: • Public schools • Not-for-profits serving low income families • Developmentally disabled

  8. Other Devices will be Recycled • Manufacturers can fulfill their goals by also recycling or refurbishing: • Cell phones • Computer keyboards, mice, etc. • Fax machines • AV equipment like DVD players • Other equipment specified in the Act • These are called “Eligible Electronic Devices”, or EEDs

  9. Municipalities: Get Involved! • Manufacturers will be contracting with partners to help with: • Collection • Recycling • Refurbishment • IEPA to publish list of registered manufacturers this summer (66 already have registered) • Pick up the phone!

  10. Processor Responsibilities • Collectors, recyclers, and refurbishers must register • To recycle or refurbish CEDs, a company must register • Recyclers and refurbishers must also pay an annual registration fee • Goal is to ensure best management practices in recycling/refurbishment industry • Collectors are a key component of the program

  11. Collector Reporting • Collectors play a critical role • They are the “public face” of e-waste processing • Their annual report of collections will serve as check-and-balance for similar report written by manufacturers • Report will also drive recycling goals for the next year • Collectors (including municipalities) must register with the state • List of registered collectors, recyclers, and refurbishers will be published on IEPA website accessible to potential manufacturer partners

  12. Recycling Industry to Grow • Close to 2,000 jobs projected • Talk to recyclers/refurbishers about expanding in your community • IEPA to post list of registered recyclers/refurbishers this summer • Registration commits companies to environmental/safety standards

  13. How will my Residents Know What to Do? • Retailers are primarily responsible for consumer education • IEPA has contact list of 2200+ retailers • Agency will prepare educational materials for retailers to post in stores and on-line • Retailers expected to train employees • Local governments can post these materials too • IEPA has started new website • http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/electronic-waste-recycling/

  14. Questions? • Joe Shacter • Consultant to Western Illinois Regional Council and Illinois EPA • 773-388-8511 (h/o/f) • 312-203-8833 (cell) • Help Illinois EPA help you - how can we support your efforts in your communities?

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