DEP Bans Sale Of Cocopart Electronics Products For Violating PA’s Electronic Waste Recycling Law; E-Waste Recycling Law Broken

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 8 PA Bulletin that Cocopart is prohibited from selling its products in Pennsylvania as a result of its violation of the state electronics waste recycling law.  (PA Bulletin, page 3258)

Under state law, manufacturers of new covered devices-- such as televisions, laptop and desktop computers, tablets, etc.-- offered for sale in Pennsylvania are required to register with the Department prior to offering those devices for sale under Section 304 of the Covered Device Recycling Act.

Manufacturers must also pay an annual registration fee and submit a recycling plan and annual report.

Section 302 of the CDRA prohibits the sale of covered devices in the Commonwealth by unregistered manufacturers.

Electronics Waste Recycling Program Is Broken

Local governments, community groups and DEP have all concluded the electronic waste recycling program is broken and needs a major overhaul to work effectively.

Several legislative hearings have documented the fact the state’s electronic waste recycling program just isn’t working, and that hasn’t changed since a 2017 Senate hearing.  Read more here.

In December 2021, DEP, in consultation with the agency’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee, released a white paper of what those changes in law should be.  Read more here.

Click Here to read more about how the electronic waste recycling program can be fixed and recommendations on making the curbside recycling program more effective.

For more information on this program, visit DEP’s Electronics Waste Recycling webpage.  Questions about this action can be directed to Jordan Hoover, Bureau of Waste Management by email to: jorhoover@pa.gov  or 717-783-8973.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

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[Posted: June 7, 2024]  PA Environment Digest