11/25/24 - 156 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/54ukts8z
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House Passes Bill Requiring Recycling Of TVs, Computers, Other Electronics
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The House this week overwhelmingly passed House Bill 708 (Ross-R-Chester) which requires manufacturers of computers and televisions to arrange to recycle them. The bill also bans dumping these devices in a landfill. "After several years and a lot of cooperative effort, I am proud to say that Pennsylvania is finally taking control of a major environmental issue," said Rep. Ross. "A state program is needed because a recycling program has not been enacted on the federal level.
"There are electronic recycling events that are held periodically throughout the state, but participation can be troublesome for consumers. People want to conveniently and responsibly dispose of their computers and televisions, and my bill makes it a lot simpler for them.
"These electronics release toxic materials when they break down," Rep. Ross added. "It's about time we removed them from our landfills. It is far more efficient to recycle materials rather than having to rebuild things fresh each time."
“This is a terrific win for Pennsylvania’s environment and economy,” said Jan Jarrett, PennFuture’s president and CEO. “We will keep electronics out of our landfills and get them recycled for free. And Pennsylvania businesses will flourish. That’s a pretty good deal.”
Ned Eldridge, president and CEO of eLoop llc, a DEP permitted Pittsburgh-based recycler of electronic and universal waste streams that is a pledged e-Stewards Recycler under the Basel Action Network, agreed.
“Over the past five years, there have been amazing improvements in technology – sales of everything from TVs to computers have increased dramatically due to tremendous innovation," said Eldridge. "But this innovation has had a downside: outdated equipment has been dumped into our landfills or exported to developing countries, where it is polluting whole cities with toxic waste. It is gratifying that the state has developed a plan to control the fastest growing waste stream in the world. These actions will assure the toxins in this equipment don’t end up in the ground, but are properly recycled.”
PennFuture Policy Director Steve Stroman praised Rep. Chris Ross, the prime sponsor of House Bill 708, for his exemplary work and leadership in developing the bill and building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
“Rep. Ross began his work on e-waste several years ago with colleagues at the Council of State Governments to develop a common, multi-state approach. Since then, he has worked skillfully with manufacturers, retailers, the Department of Environmental Protection, and recyclers to find common ground," said Stroman. "PennFuture enjoyed working with Rep. Ross to pass this significant e-waste recycling bill in the House, and we look forward to continuing our work with both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate to enact the bill into law.”
Stroman also praised the vital role played by Rep. Jennifer L. Mann (D-Lehigh) in passing House Bill 708. “Rep. Mann’s leadership and longstanding interest in e-waste recycling was key to building support for the bill among House Democrats and getting a timely vote on the bill in the House.”
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6/21/2010 |
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