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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 16, 2022 08:56 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tracy Pennycuick and Rep. Mike Zabel |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Recycling of Electronic Devices |
| CO-SPONSORSHIP MEMORANDUM To: All House Members From: Representative Tracy Pennycuick and Representative Mike Zabel Date: September 15, 2022 Subject: Recycling of Electronic Devices If you have a drawer or box full of old electronics, you know that it is not always easy to recycle electronics in Pennsylvania. That is why it is time to update our electronic recycling law. Under the Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA), Pennsylvania established a mandatory manufacturer and retailer-based recycling program for electronic devices, including televisions, computer monitors, laptop and desktop computers, and peripheral parts of computers, such as keyboards and printers. Many of these items contain toxic metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury, and other materials that could potentially cause environmental degradation if not disposed of properly. Currently, the Commonwealth requires manufacturers to provide recycling opportunities for electronic devices based on the weight of the devices. However, with technological advancements, many of these devices are now smaller and weigh much less than they did when the CDRA was enacted, leaving many manufacturers off the hook from their recycling responsibilities. In addition, the CDRA provides that a diminishing amount of electronic waste be recycled every two years. Therefore, under this law, many residents of Pennsylvania are unable to properly dispose of their old electronics. Sadly, this has resulted in the illegal disposal of such devices in landfills, streams, and forests. Additionally, residents located in certain areas of the Commonwealth must pay fees as high as $200 per item if they want to recycle their electronic waste, which places an undue financial burden on many families. We plan to introduce legislation that would ensure that all residents have access to convenient recycling for their old, unwanted, and outdated electronics. Fees would not be assessed on individuals for any electronic waste discarded at designated collection sites. Instead, a modest “eco-fee” would be added to the purchase price of new electronic devices sold in the Commonwealth to cover the costs of collecting, transporting, and processing electronic devices by local governments and manufacturers; it would also help cover the costs borne by the Department of Environmental Protection to implement the recycling program. Through this legislation, we can establish a collaborative, self-sustaining electronic waste recycling system that better serves the needs of the residents of the Commonwealth and, at the same time, helps to protect the environment. Please join us in sponsoring this important legislation. |