FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 24, 2006

CONTACTS:
Mo McBroom
Washington Environmental Council, 206-351-4999
Suellen Mele
Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation, 206-441-1790
Clifford Traisman
Washington Conservation Voters / Washington Environmental Council, 206-369-2235
  
Additional helpful contacts are listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Landmark Bill Signed into Law:

Free, Simple and Safe E-Waste Recycling

Olympia, WA - Businesses, environmental groups, and governments applauded today as Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law landmark legislation that will make it as easy to recycle a computer or TV as it is to buy one. 

Sponsored by Senator Craig Pridemore (Vancouver, WA) and Representative Brian Sullivan (Everett, WA), the law provides free and convenient recycling of old computers and TVs for residents, schools, and small businesses throughout the state.  “This law is the most significant advancement made in recycling in a generation,” said Suellen Mele of Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation.  “We congratulate the Legislature and the Governor for taking this thoughtful and bold step forward.”

Republicans and Democrats, manufacturers and environmentalists, retailers, charities and local governments all lined up in support of this legislation.  The law (ESSB 6428) passed with strong bipartisan votes in both the Senate (38-11) and the House (69-29). 

“The overwhelming show of support behind the bill is due to its common sense approach and the hard work of all the partners -- a broad coalition of business and public interest groups -- as well as legislators from both sides of the aisle,” said Mo McBroom, Policy Director for Washington Environmental Council, one of the key groups supporting the bill. 

Computers and TVs contain valuable materials as well as toxic substances such as mercury and lead.  Obsolete equipment is often stockpiled in basements and closets or tossed out with the trash.  Bill proponents contend that responsible recycling is a much better option. 

At its core, this legislation is about sharing the responsibility for recycling.  Once the law is implemented, consumers will be able to bring unwanted computers and TVs to drop-off sites or services, which may be run by local retailers, charities, governments, haulers and others.  There will be no fee for dropping off these out-dated electronics.  "The Washington Retail Association is pleased to have been a partner in the development of this law that will provide our customers a convenient opportunity to recycle their old computers and televisions,” said WRA president Jan Teague. 

In the new system, manufacturers will pay for the recycling of the products that they create.  This approach, already used in Maine and by many countries in Europe and Asia, provides manufacturers with a direct financial incentive to decrease the costs associated with recycling by designing products that are less toxic and easier to recycle. 

“This is now the most extensive producer responsibility bill in the U.S.,” said Mo McBroom.  “Manufacturers will be highly involved in making the recycling system work.”

Further efforts must be made by the Department of Ecology, activists and others prior to program implementation to ensure that electronic waste collected under the program is not exported to developing countries.  Governor Gregoire vetoed a bill provision addressing this issue because it overstepped the state’s legal authority.  In doing so, the Governor called on Congress and the president to take decisive action to prevent international export of e-waste to developing nations.

Concern and momentum around e-waste recycling is growing across the country.  Nineteen other states plus New York City have bills pending this year on the issue of electronic waste.

Additional Contacts:
Senator Pridemore, 360-786-7696
Senator Esser, 360-786-7694
Representative Sullivan, 360-786-7972
Representative Priest, 360-786-7830
Jay Shepherd, Washington State Department of Ecology, 360-407-7040
Alexa Hanes - Hewlett Packard, 650-857-5316
Jan Teague – Washington Retail Association, 360-943-9198, ext 19
Sego Jackson – Principal Planner, Snohomish County Solid Waste, 425-388-6490
Lisa Sepanski - Project Manager, King County Solid Waste Division, 206-296-4489
Sarah Westervelt – Basel Action Network, 206-652-5555
Elliott Smith – Seattle Goodwill, 206-391-4753
Craig Lorch – Total Reclaim (Electronics Recycler), 206-999-9190
Dan Cantrell - Washington State Recycling Association, 206-244-0311

  
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