What you need to know about Pa.'s recycling law
As of Jan. 24, 2013 you can no longer throw away old electronic devices in Pennsylvania. They will have to be recycled, and there are new rules that must be followed.
This slideshow will review the basics of the new law, which is called the Covered Device Recycling Act. All of the information is from the state of Pennsylvania.
The Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA) was created in 2010, but its final phases are being implemented now.PHOTO: By Matthew Downey (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
So what does the law mean by covered devices?
Covered devices include: desktop and notebook computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals, and televisions. The state defines computer peripherals as…
A keyboard, printer or any other device sold exclusively for external use with a computer that provides input into or output from the computer.
The law states that mobile telephones, portable handeld calculators, digital assistants and MP3 players are NOT included under the CDRA.
As of Jan. 24, these devices and their components must be properly recycled and may not be taken to, nor accepted by, landfills or other solid waste disposal facilities for disposal.
Residents must take their covered devices to an electronics collection location for proper recycling, place their covered devices for curbside collection if a specific electronics collection program is offered or utilize an approved mail-back program to recycle their covered devices. Find an e-cycler near you here.
1. The CDRA prohibits manufacturers and retailers from charging consumers (including home-based businesses) a fee for the collection, transportation, or recycling of a covered device (desktop and notebook computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals, and televisions) unless a financial incentive, such as a coupon or rebate, of equal or greater value is provided.
2. However, collection locations may charge fees for covered devices if they are not a retailer and are not affiliated with a manufacturer’s recycling program.
3. Additionally, any collection location, regardless of whether they are a retailer or are affiliated with a manufacturer’s recycling program, may charge a fee for the recycling of non-covered devices.
Any person who violates any requirement of the CDRA may be assessed a penalty of up to $1,000 for the first violation and up to $2,000 for subsequent violations.
The new law also creates new rules for retailers and manufacturers.
Under the law, manufacturers must provide recycling programs for desktop computers, laptop computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals and televisions sold to consumers in Pennsylvania beginning in January 2012.
Manufacturers face stiffer penalties for violations.
Enforcement actions may be initiated by the Commonwealth for failure by a manufacturer to submit an annual registration form, remit an annual registration fee, or label its new covered devices with a brand. Penalties will range up to $10,000 for the first violation and $25,000 for subsequent violations.
So why did the state enact this new law? The answer has to do with the toxic materials that are within many of our electronic devices.
Many consumer electronic products contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury as well as other materials that are better kept out of the environment. In fact, the typical cathode ray tube computer monitor (non-flat screen model) contains four to seven pounds of lead. Televisions, depending on their size, may contain even more lead.