eRecycle Program Kicks-Off in Sacramento: California Integrated Waste Management Board encourages residents to recycle electronic waste

SACRAMENTO—Encouraging Sacramento area residents to recycle their electronic waste or "e-waste", the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) kicked-off a new eRecycle Consumer Education Program today at California Electronic Asset Recovery, Inc. The goal of this statewide program is to educate the public about how to properly dispose of unwanted electronic equipment.

E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." It is estimated that over six million computer monitors and televisions are stockpiled in California garages, closets and attics in hopes of finding a new life but are overshadowed by new technologies. This electronic equipment can be harmful to the environment and human health if not disposed of properly.

"eRecycling is a great way to help protect California's residents and keep our environment safe from harmful materials," said Margo Reid Brown, CIWMB Chair. "This program is an important part of CIWMB's overall mission in reducing waste whenever possible and promoting the management of all materials to their highest and best use."

Many Californians are unaware that it is now illegal to throw certain electronic items, such as televisions and computer monitors, in the trash because of the hazardous materials they contain. The eRecycle program is meant to reduce the amount of e-waste going to landfills by communicating to the public that electronic products can be conveniently reused, refurbished or recycled.

The site of today's event is just one of hundreds of locations throughout the state where electronic devices can be conveniently dropped-off for recycling--most often free of charge. Businessmen such as Paul Gao, President of California Electronic Asset Recovery, Inc. are striving to provide convenient recycling opportunities for e-waste in California.

CIWMB is also planning to reach the public in retail locations or the point-of-purchase through an eRecycle Retail Partnership Program. By partnering with CIWMB, electronic retailers will receive employee training and in-store educational materials to promote eRecycling options and information to customers.

"Wal-Mart is pleased to be partnering with the State on this important issue," said Elise Warner, Regional Operations Director with Wal-Mart of California. "We hope to increase our customers' awareness about eRecycling and to do our part in reducing the amount of material in the waste stream and therefore our landfills."

The eRecycle program was created as a result of California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, which went into effect January 1, 2005. This landmark legislation requires electronic retailers statewide to collect a small Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (between $6 and $10 on most televisions, computer monitors and laptop computers depending on size), for each covered electronic device that has been purchased.

Collected fees are deposited into an Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Account managed by CIWMB and are used to offset the cost of properly collecting and recycling these types of products at the end of their useful lives.

Additional public education efforts for the eRecycle program include:

• Television and radio public service announcements as well as media outreach designed to help answer the question, "What am I supposed to do with my old electronics?"
• A website, eRecycle.org, established to serve as California's one-stop-shop for information on how to manage unwanted electronics. Through this site, consumers can find out where reuse and recycling opportunities exist locally.
• The formation of an advisory group to act as a sounding board for outreach ideas and activities. The group is made up of representatives from various state and county departments, electronic and recycling industry associations, manufacturers, retail partners and eRecycling centers throughout the state.

About CIWMB

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.
 

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Find participating store locations and learn more about eRecycling by visiting
www.eRecycle.org or calling 1-866-218-6103.