Thursday, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful launched www.eWastePA.org to help ensure Pennsylvania consumers have the information they need to properly manage their electronic waste such as old televisions and computer monitors, commonly referred to as e-waste.
The Covered Device Recycling Act (Act 108), enacted in 2010, prohibits the acceptance of ‘covered devices’ such as televisions, computers, computer monitors and all peripherals, at any Pennsylvania solid waste disposal facilities. This prohibits residents from putting them out at the curb for pickup by their waste hauler.
The law also stipulates that recyclers cannot charge a fee to offset the cost of proper recycling as the cost of collection, transportation and recycling is to be borne by electronics manufacturers.
Unfortunately, the law isn’t working and has created an imbalance of supply and demand causing many electronics collection programs to shut down leaving many consumers without means to recycle their old electronics.
While some residents are holding on to electronic devices until the law is fixed, there are others that are not. Instead, they are choosing to dump them in alleys, over riverbanks, and alongside our roadways.
Illegal dumping of any waste is harmful to the environment and costly to surrounding communities, with the average community cleanup costing around $3,000.
To make matters worse, electronic devices contain lead, cadmium and mercury that, if not properly managed or contained, may become hazardous waste and post a threat to human health and the environment.
“We know consumers want to do the right thing and dispose of their old televisions and other electronics properly. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful launched www.eWastePA.org to educate, empower and engage consumers on e-waste recycling in Pennsylvania,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
“The site not only explains why and how we got here, it links consumers to recycling programs in their community,” explained Reiter. “It also provides easy to use tools for consumers to advocate for access to convenient and affordable trash disposal and recycling in Pennsylvania by linking them with their local legislators as well as the original equipment manufacturers that are responsible for carrying the cost of recycling of e-waste in Pennsylvania.”
The website answers basic questions consumers have about electronics recycling—
— Why your waste haulers won’t take your TV.
— It’s illegal to dump your TV anywhere in PA.
— Find an electronic recycling drop-off center near you.
— How to dispose of your electronic devices.
— What happens if the law is not fixed?
— Learn what you can do about it.
Visit KPB’s www.eWastePA.org website to learn more.
For more information on e-waste recycling, visit DEP’s Covered Device Recycling Act webpage.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean.
Sign up now for the 2016 Great American Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup and beautification event through May 31.Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean.
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