The Salem Statesman-Journal ran a pretty good piece on the E-waste bill today.

Here’s an interesting sidebar they ran just dealing with Marion County alone; the story mentioned that they DON’T currently accept TVs, so these figures are WITHOUT the biggest components of the toxic waste stream (and which also means that they are going into the landfills so that the lead and toxics can get into your drinking water from there).

Given the absolute tidal wave of TVs that are going to be getting thrown away soon with the digital conversion that means your old analog TV isn’t going to work without a converter, we have to get moving now to establish a recycling system.

Bill basics
What: House Bill 2626 would require free, convenient drop-off sites for electronic waste
When: Jan. 1, 2009

What’s covered: Computers, computer monitors, laptops and television sets

Not covered: iPods, cell phones

Who pays: Television manufacturers pay based on the percentage of TVs they sell in the state. Computer manufacturers pay based on the percentage of their products in the waste stream in Oregon.
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By the numbers
Marion County has collected electronic waste since 2000.

COMPUTER WASTE

About 40 percent of Marion County’s electronic computer waste, by weight, is monitors. The rest includes computers, keyboards, mouses and other computer peripherals.

2006: 984,578 pounds
2005: 931,660 pounds
2004: 695,100 pounds
2003: 525,291 pounds
2002: 569,490 pounds
2001: 307,860 pounds
2000 (July through December): 68,400 pounds

CELL PHONES
Marion County started cell phone recycling in 2005.
2006: 1,193 phones
2005: 998

PRINTER CARTRIDGES
Marion County estimates that printer cartridges are recycled most often at the company they are purchased from.
2006: 1,173 printer cartridges
2005: 354
2004: 574
2003: 288

Marion County collects electronic equipment at its Salem-Keizer Recycling and Transfer Station, 3250 Deer Park Drive SE.
For information, call (503) 588-5169.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 30th, 2007 at 9:07 pm and is filed under Environment, General, Livability. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.