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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 21, 2023 03:02 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Tracy Pennycuick and Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Electronic Waste Recycling Program |
| In the near future, we will be reintroducing SB 1310 from last session, which would amend the Covered Device Recycling Act to enhance and restructure Pennsylvania’s electronic waste recycling system. Through a collaborative, self-sustaining system comprised of the manufacturing, recycling and retail industries, as well as local governments and the PA Department of Environmental Protection, our bill would allow all counties within the state to participate in an e-waste recycling collection program. Residents could access collection sites at no cost to themselves or their municipalities. Currently, manufacturers in the commonwealth are required to provide recycling opportunities for certain covered devices, such as computers and televisions; however, this system has failed to keep pace with demand. The rapid rate of technological advancement in today’s society is rendering new electronic devices obsolete nearly overnight. Simultaneously, PA statute calls for a diminishing amount of e-waste to be recycled every two years. The existing program, which inhibits many Pennsylvanians from disposing of their electronics properly or safely, has resulted in the accumulation of unusable electronic devices within households across the state. Some individuals have resorted to the illegal disposal of such devices in landfills, streams and forests. Further, in certain locations within the state, residents are paying exorbitant fees as high as $200 to recycle their electronics. Our legislation would ensure all residents have convenient options available to them for the recycling of their electronic devices. Fees would not be assessed on individuals for any e-waste discarded at a designated collection site or event. While counties would have the opportunity to participate in this program for the benefit of their residents, they would not be required to do so. Residents would be able to drop-off their electronic devices at a location of their choosing. We hope you will join us in co-sponsoring this legislation that will provide much-needed solutions for Pennsylvanians seeking to dispose of their unwanted electronic waste in a safe, sustainable manner while protecting our natural resources. |
Introduced as SB734