E-waste Laws in Other States
The following is a list and brief overview of the major e-waste recycling legislation that has been passed in other states.
Connecticut
Legislation: House Bill 7249 (2007)
Summary: Established a mandatory recycling program for covered electronic devices (CEDs). Manufacturers are required to participate in programs that finance the collection, transportation, and recycling of these products. Municipalities coordinate collection and transportation to recyclers, who then bill the manufacturers.
Covered Devices: Televisions, monitors, personal computers, laptops
Effective Date: January 1, 2009
Hawaii
Legislation: Senate Bill 2843 (2008)
Summary: Mandates that manufacturers of covered electronic devices register with the Department of Health and pay a registration fee. Manufacturers must submit plans to establish, conduct, and manage programs for the collection, transportation, and recycling of their devices sold in Hawaii.
Covered Devices: Televisions, computer monitors, devices with displays larger than 4 inches, or containing a circuit board
Effective Date: July 1, 2008
Illinois
Legislation: Senate Bill 2313 (2008)
Summary: Requires manufacturers to establish facilities accepting e-waste from consumers. The law phases in recycling requirements, leading to a prohibition on disposing certain e-waste in municipal waste, landfills, and incinerators by 2012. It applies to electronic equipment retired from residential use and imposes civil penalties for violations.
Covered Devices: Computers, televisions, cell phones, PDAs, printers, fax machines, game consoles, VCRs, DVD players, iPods (excluding calculators and typewriters)
Effective Date: Immediate upon enactment
Indiana
Legislation: House Bill 1589 (2009)
Summary: Obligates manufacturers of video display devices to collect and recycle 60% by weight of the volume of products sold in the previous year in Indiana. Manufacturers failing to meet these goals after the first two years incur additional recycling fees per pound short of the target. The program allows consumers, public schools, and small businesses to recycle a broader range of products for free.
Covered Devices: Televisions, computers, laptops, keyboards, printers, fax machines, DVD players, video cassette recorders
Effective Date: April 2010
Maine
Legislation: Legislative Document 1892 (2004)
Summary: Requires municipalities to send waste computer and television monitors to manufacturer-funded consolidation centers. Manufacturers also cover shipping and recycling costs per Maine's environmentally sound recycling guidelines, including a share of "orphan units" (products from defunct manufacturers).
Covered Devices: Televisions, computer monitors, devices with displays larger than 4 inches, or containing a circuit board
Effective Date: January 18, 2006
Maryland
Legislation: House Bill 575 (2005); updated by House Bill 488 (2007)
Summary: Established a county-by-county collection system, with manufacturers responsible for funding the program or creating their own plans. The 2007 update expanded the scope to include televisions and other display devices.
Covered Devices: Desktop computers, personal computers, laptops, televisions
Effective Date: January 1, 2006; updated in 2007
Michigan
Legislation: House Bills 6714-6715; Senate Bills 896-897 (2008)
Summary: Imposes an annual registration tax on manufacturers of covered electronic devices and requires them to implement takeback programs for recycling. Retailers are prohibited from selling products from non-compliant manufacturers.
Covered Devices: Computers, televisions, printers
Effective Date: April 1, 2010
Minnesota
Legislation: Senate File 2847 (2007)
Summary: Mandates that manufacturers of video display devices register with the state and annually recycle or arrange for the collection of an amount of e-waste equal to a percentage of the weight of products they sold.
Covered Devices: Televisions, computer monitors, laptops
Effective Date: July 1, 2007
Missouri
Legislation: HF 854
Summary: The act requires manufacturers of computers to implement "recovery plans" for the collection of and the recycling or reuse of their obsolete equipment. The recovery plan must be implemented and a copy of the plan submitted to the Department of Natural Resources before the manufacturer can sell its computers in Missouri. Such manufacturers must also label their equipment to identify themselves as the manufacturer
Covered Devices: Computers only
Effective Date: August 28, 2008
New Jersey
Legislation: Senate Bill 2144 (2007)
Summary: Requires manufacturers to establish and finance a free and convenient collection program for consumers. Retailers must inform consumers about recycling options.
Covered Devices: Computers, televisions, monitors
Effective Date: January 1, 2010
New York
Legislation: Senate Bill 6047 (2010)
Summary: Institutes a statewide e-waste recycling program requiring manufacturers to provide free and convenient recycling of electronic waste to consumers.
Covered Devices: Computers, televisions, small electronic equipment
Effective Date: April 1, 2011
North Carolina
Legislation: Senate Bill 887 (2007)
Summary: Prohibits the disposal of computer equipment and televisions in landfills and requires manufacturers to offer recycling programs.
Covered Devices: Computers, televisions
Effective Date: January 1, 2010
Oklahoma
Legislation: SB 1631
Summary: The bill requires computer manufacturers doing business in Oklahoma to provide the Department of Environmental Quality proof of a computer recovery or recycling program, such as a mail-back system, collection events, or contracts with state electronic recycling shops.
It also disqualifies any manufacturer from participating in bids for state contracts if they are not in compliance.Covered Devices: Desktop, notebook computer, computer monitor. Does not include television.
Effective Date: January 1, 2009
Oregon
Legislation: House Bill 2626 (2007)
Summary: Established the Oregon E-Cycles program, requiring manufacturers of covered electronic devices to fund the collection, transportation, and recycling of electronic waste. Collection sites must be conveniently located and available statewide. Retailers are prohibited from selling devices from non-compliant manufacturers.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, TVs, printers, keyboards, and mice.
Effective Date: January 1, 2009.
Pennsylvania
Legislation: Covered Device Recycling Act (Act 108 of 2010)
Summary: Prohibits disposal of covered electronic devices in landfills and requires manufacturers to establish free and convenient recycling programs for consumers. The act also includes public outreach requirements to ensure awareness of proper disposal options.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, TVs, printers, keyboards, mice, and related peripherals.
Effective Date: January 24, 2013.
Rhode Island
Legislation: Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling Act (2008)
Summary: Requires manufacturers to participate in a state-approved recycling program or develop their own. Retailers are prohibited from selling products from manufacturers that fail to comply. The law encourages recycling by establishing free drop-off points for residents.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, TVs, and related peripherals.
Effective Date: January 31, 2009.
South Carolina
Legislation: Electronics Recycling Program (Act 129 of 2010)
Summary: Prohibits the disposal of computers, monitors, and televisions in landfills. Manufacturers are required to provide free recycling opportunities for residents and ensure that all e-waste is processed responsibly.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, and televisions.
Effective Date: July 1, 2011.
Texas
Legislation: Computer Equipment Recycling Program (2007) and TV TakeBack Law (2011)
Summary: Requires manufacturers of computers and televisions to offer free and convenient recycling programs. Manufacturers must register with the state and provide details of their recycling plans.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, laptops, and televisions.
Effective Date: September 1, 2008 (computers); May 1, 2012 (televisions).
Vermont
Legislation: Vermont E-Cycles Program (2011)
Summary: Provides free and convenient collection of e-waste for residents, small businesses, charities, and schools. Manufacturers fund the program and must meet performance goals. The program bans disposal of covered devices in landfills.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, TVs, printers, and peripherals.
Effective Date: January 1, 2011.
Virginia
Legislation: Virginia Computer Recovery and Recycling Act (2009)
Summary: Requires manufacturers of computers to provide free take-back and recycling services. The law encourages consumers to participate in recycling programs to prevent e-waste from entering landfills.
Covered Devices: Computers and peripherals.
Effective Date: July 1, 2009.
Washington
Legislation: Electronic Product Recycling Law (2006)
Summary: Established the E-Cycle Washington program, which requires manufacturers of covered devices to fund a statewide network of collection sites. The program is free for households, small businesses, and schools.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, laptops, and TVs.
Effective Date: January 1, 2009.
West Virginia
Legislation: Covered Electronic Devices Recycling Act (2008)
Summary: Prohibits landfill disposal of covered electronic devices and requires manufacturers to register with the state and provide a recovery plan for recycling.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, laptops, and TVs.
Effective Date: June 1, 2009.
Wisconsin
Legislation: E-Cycle Wisconsin (Act 50 of 2009)
Summary: Prohibits the disposal of e-waste in landfills and requires manufacturers to register and implement recycling programs. Retailers must ensure they sell only compliant products.
Covered Devices: Computers, monitors, TVs, printers, and peripherals.
Effective Date: January 1, 2010.