The nation’s largest recycling and waste management associations this week issued a joint statement calling for the reuse or recycling of all electronic waste or "e-scrap." The Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA), the National Recycling Coalition (NRC), the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) said, "Reuse and recycling are far and away the preferred methods of e-scrap management-and with sufficient infrastructure; nearly all discarded electronic products could be technically and economically recyclable." They went on to say that an integrated framework of federal regulations complemented by more customized state regulations would help achieve this goal.

California already requires the recycling of virtually all e-scrap. And while Californians Against Waste has successfully sponsored the enactment of several state laws establishing a system of extended producer responsibility for the collection and recycling of some types of problem 'e-waste' (i.e. TV's and Computer monitors, cell phones, and rechargeable batteries), California continues to dispose of more than 400,000 tons of toxic electronics annually.

With the start of a new legislative session on January 3, CAW is planning to sponsor a package of new e-scrap legislation aimed at addressing the problem:

While California has lead this nation in the introduction and enactment of various policies to assign some level of extended producer responsibility for the environmental--including end-of-live--impacts for some products and packaging (i.e. the Bottle bill, Cell phones, computer monitors, mercury auto switches etc), the system to date is far from comprehensive, and more often than not still relies on under funded local governments to provide a collection safety net.

A new coalition of local government recycling and HHW coordinators--organized as the California Product Stewardship Council--has formed to press policy makers on substantially expanding that system. Their mission: To shift California's product waste management system from one focused on government funded and ratepayer financed waste diversion to one that relies on producer responsibility in order to reduce public costs and drive improvements in product design.

The local government based CPSC represents a new and welcome front in the effort advance producer responsibility policies on problem products in California.

To find out more, contact the group leaders:

Carol Misseldine, City of Oakland -

David Assmann, City of San Francisco -

Rob D'Arcy, Santa Clara County -

California Assembly Member Lloyd Levine was joined today by representatives of Californians Against Waste, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Auto Dismantlers, and automobile manufacturers in unveiling a new state program for recovery and recycling toxic mercury auto switches.

"Tons of mercury is released into the environment as a result of improperly disposed auto switches, which results in a real threat to public health – especially severe developmental problems in children, such as autism,” Assemblymember Levine said. “Over the past three years, I have been working with the auto industry, recycling executives, and numerous environmental groups to establish a statewide program to properly collect and dispose of mercury switches in cars.

"I am proud to announce that all the hard work exhibited by all parties involved has resulted in a drastic reduction in the amount of mercury released into California’s environment,” Levine continued. “Through the implementation of this program, California is now seen as a national leader in working to prevent future health and environmental degradation from the release of mercury into our environment."

Click here for complete press release.

Sept 27, Sacramento Bee article.

Press Release: Assembly Member Lloyd Levine

For Immediate Release: September 26, 2006
Contact: Alex Traverso (916) 319-2647

Levine Leads the Way on California Mercury Reduction Program

Inspired by 2005 Levine Legislation, Program Results in 100 Pounds of Mercury Removed from California’s Environment in Five Months
 
SACRAMENTO – Joined by representatives from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the State of California Auto Dismantlers Association (SCADA), and Californians Against Waste, Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) today announced the success of The Mercury Switch Removal Program, which has reduced the amount of mercury released into California’s environment by nearly 100 pounds in five months, which accounts for 50,000 switches.

The Program was inspired by legislation authored by Assemblymember Levine – AB 1240, The Mercury Switch Removal Act of 2005 – which called for a collection and recovery program at the Department of Toxic Substance and Control, as well as requiring auto manufacturers to establish and finance a Mercury Switch Removal Plan.

“Tons of mercury is released into the environment as a result of improperly disposed auto switches, which results in a real threat to public health – especially severe developmental problems in children, such as autism,” Assemblymember Levine said. “Over the past three years, I have been working with the auto industry, recycling executives, and numerous environmental groups to establish a statewide program to properly collect and dispose of mercury switches in cars.

“I am proud to announce that all the hard work exhibited by all parties involved has resulted in a drastic reduction in the amount of mercury released into California’s environment,” Levine continued. “Through the implementation of this program, California is now seen as a national leader in working to prevent future health and environmental degradation from the release of mercury into our environment.”