US state Wisconsin has passed a Senate Bill 107 which will make it easier for consumers to recycle electronic waste, starting next year. The Wisconsin law on e-waste takes effect 1 January 2010. It requires manufacturers of electronic products to register with the Department of Natural Resources and take legal responsibility for the collection and recycling of the electronic devices, including old computers, video display devices and desktop printers.
The US has been accused of lagging far behind other countries in enforcing federal e-waste legislation. This despite the fact that the country is regarded as the world’s major producer of electronic waste.
US Federal Government - the main culprit
According to an estimate by University of California researchers, American households harbour 747 million unused items that can be regarded as e-waste. The appointed head e-waste culprit, according to another study, is the US federal government, which spends nearly 75 billion dollars on electronic products per year but discards 10.000 computers a week according to the US Environment Protection Agency.
Study initiative on e-waste
Of late however, a federal legislative initiative has been taken to build a foundation for a future e-waste law for the USA. A bill called “The Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act” is an attempt to prepare for legislation on electronic waste.
It seeks to improve the recycling of electronics across the US by bringing together manufacturers, retailers, recyclers and research institutes. The way to help find solutions to the problem of e-waste is, according to the proposal, by allotting funds and grants for studies in recycling, electronics design and manufacturing.
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