[HAVOC]

This thread pertains to the United States:

There is a Federal Law that is going to be coming before congress. It is scheduled for 4Q 2006. This federal law will Nationalize the Electronic Waste Recycling Fee Program. Currently the State of California has this Electronics Waste Recycling Fee Program. As of now (January 1, 2005) it pertains only to (CRT'S, LED'S & TV'S) which contain hazardous materials that have been dumped in landfills.

More information about this program can be found here:
http://www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/ewfaqsgen.htm#1

California is expanding this program and will include all Electronic Devices. Each Electronic device will have a specific recycling fee added to the retail price and paid by the consumer. This fee will go towards the recycling process of electronic waste and a portion will go to the collecters.

The Federal Law that is being brought before Congress will mandate each US State to follow quidelines of the Electronic Waste Recycling Fee Program. Electronics sold in each state will include this fee with-in the retail price, paid by the consumer. Each device will have a regulated fee, depending on the device.

Environmentally speaking, this Program is a great idea. Economically speaking, it will mean higher prices for (OEM & Do It Yourself Builders). So if you purchase 11 components to build a PC, each of the 11 components will have a fee built into the retail price. Again, this fee will pertain to all electronic devices.

Now this doesn't necessarily mean that the Federal Law will be passed. But, there are several other States that are starting to discuss passing this law at a state and local level. Colorado is one State tha expects to have this Law by mid 2Q 2006.

With all this being said, "What does everyone think about this Program?"

[molsen]

i say go for it. companies need to become more responsible for the mass amounts of waste they produce and their environmental consequences. besides, the fee is not going to translate on the consumer end as like 10 bucks or something ridiculous.... i doubt anyone would even notice it and hey...now people can help the environment, and not even know it!

[HAVOC]

Originally posted by molsen
the fee is not going to translate on the consumer end as like 10 bucks or something ridiculous...

The Fee is only paid by the consumer. It will be added into the final cost.

Retail Price + Local Sales Tax + Environmental Recycling Fee

Manufacturers won't change a thing about their products, because the Hazardous recycling fee is picked up by those that purchase the products.

ON A SIDE NOTE:

This law would create the need for "Drop-off Locations" or "Collectors".
You will no longer be able to just throw your old electronics away. You will need to have them properly recycled. Which will open the door for the middleman to make a profit.

"Drop-off locations" or "Collector's" would transport the waste electronics to the recycling plants and recieve a "per/pound" fee. This per/pound fee would be come from a percentage of the Recycling Fee that the consumer pays.

There is very little overhead here. All you'd need it a (transport vehicle & driver) at a drop-off location. The driver brings the load to a recycling plant, the load is weighed and the collecter paid.

Sounds like a sweet investment to me if this law goes federal. There are a lot of old electronics out there that need to be thrown away...
Think about your 6 year old gateway, dell or compaq. Your old TV, Radio, DVD Player, VCR... etc... It will have to be recycled.

[Deimos]

I suopose enviremental pros should always go above economical cons, so it is a good idea, but... i dont wanna pay the extra money :snob:

[HAVOC]

Originally posted by Deimos
I suopose enviremental pros should always go above economical cons, so it is a good idea, but... i dont wanna pay the extra money :snob:

I agree. But the potential to make money from this law in the US is substancial. You could establish a company very similar to this one:

http://www.1800gotjunk.com/index.asp

If you collected a high enough volume of Waste Electronics, you could make a fortune.

[FoxyLoxy]

There is already a substantial fee tagged for monitors and stuff at transfer stations, that better go away then. I agree with the law though. Consumers and manufacterers need to become more responsible. The US ships nearly all of our toxic waste to the western coast of Africa where its dumped for a nominal fee. Waste dumps leak chemicals and lord knows what into the soil and that seeps into the water table. People think the earth is an endless sponge/filter, its not.

[coreyjames66]

I just viewed a program on the shipping out of Hazardous Waste to other country's.

If the new program doesn't have a provision to stop this, I think it's nothing but a money grab.

It's shameful what we are doing to third world country's. They will be paying for it for generations to come.

Something needs to be done though, this is certain.

[HAVOC]

The United States is the largest exporter of garbage that is dumped on the southern shorelines of Africa.

That's f'in B.S...
Ship our trash out of the US and dump it in another country? The US should be ashamed of it''s self. I'm a US resident and I think it sucks. IF it's your trash, keep it in your country and deal with it.