Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats John F. McKeon and Reed Gusciora to help protect the environment by reforming the recycling of electronics was signed into law on Monday
The sponsors said many counties have begun to put an end to electronic waste recycling due to problems with the current program.
The new law (S-981/A-2375) requires each manufacturer of “covered electronic waste devices” to provide for the collection, transportation, and recycling of its market share in weight of all covered electronic devices in a program. The requirement will replace the previously existing law’s mandate that each manufacturer provide for the collection, transportation, and recycling of its “return share in weight” as estimated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The data required to perform the return share calculation are not widely available. Moreover, the DEP determinations of the manufacturers’ obligation under the law have underestimated the actual amount collected.
Under the law, the DEP will be allowed to establish a statewide standard program to collect, transport, and recycle covered electronic devices.
“Boosting recycling, especially of the new and dangerous materials in “e-waste” is the key to minimizing damage to our environment,” said McKeon (D-Essex, Morris). “Recycled materials consume less energy than using virgin materials to make new products, which means less greenhouse gases are emitted because less energy is consumed.”
“This is a win-win for our state,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “It’s a common sense move that will be good for both our economy and environment.”
The law provides that the calculation of a manufacturer’s obligation be performed in the same way for both television manufacturers and the manufacturers of other covered electronic devices. These changes will assure that manufacturers provide a free and convenient electronic waste recycling program that provides for all of the covered electronic devices that are collected. The law will allow DEP to adjust the market share in weight obligation based upon the total weight in pounds actually collected in each program year.
The law also establishes the “Electronic Waste Management Fund.” All program revenues and penalties will be deposited in the fund for administration and enforcement and other costs of the program.