Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 25, 2017 01:23 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator John R. Gordner |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Covered Device Recycling Act Amendments |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that would substantially amend Act 108 of 2010, also known as the Covered Devices Recycling Act. I am sure that you are aware that local electronics recycling programs throughout the state are becoming increasingly costly and difficult to maintain. Several drop-off centers in my district can no longer afford the increasing costs of recycling covered devices and, as a result, no longer accept them. The loss of these centers is having a profoundly negative effect on our communities, as many consumers no longer have convenient access to electronic recycling centers. In addition, the lack of electronic recycling centers leads to environmental concerns when devices are left to break down and leak harmful chemicals into the water and ground. Under current law, manufacturers are only responsible for recycling a portion of the covered devices they produce, based on weight of products sold. With recent developments in technology that make covered devices much smaller and lighter, the current weight-based calculation is no longer practical. There are many more covered electronic devices being produced than recycled due to these technological improvements, causing numerous problems for consumers, communities, and the environment. My bill, modeled after a successful program in New York state, will require that manufacturers be responsible for recycling all of the covered devices that they produce, as well as a portion of the orphan devices that are unaccounted for, based on a percentage of their market share. In addition, the legislation will mandate a minimum of one collection site per county, and for every municipality of 25,000 residents or more, in order to ensure free, convenient, environmentally responsible electronic recycling for consumers. Please join me in co-sponsoring and supporting this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as SB975