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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 31, 2020 03:37 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator John P. Blake |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Updates to Pennsylvania's Electronic Waste Recycling |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation which would amend the Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA) to enhance and restructure Pennsylvania’s electronic waste recycling system. All of us are aware of how rapidly technology advances, and we continue to see our electronic devices become obsolete. The current electronic waste recycling structure does not allow Pennsylvanians to properly and safely dispose of their old electronic devices. Manufacturers are currently required to provide recycling opportunities for various covered devices, such as computers and televisions, sold in Pennsylvania. However, the current system is not meeting the demand as it bases a manufacturers yearly recycling requirements on the weight of products the manufacturer produced two years prior. This is problematic because products being manufactured today are considerably lighter than they were even ten years ago when the CDRA was implemented. Recycling requirements and opportunities will continue to diminish and consumer will continue to be left without options to recycle their unwanted devices. Not only is access to recycling an issue, but the presence of cadmium, lead, mercury and other hazardous materials found in some of these electronic devices presents environmental and public health concerns when these devices are not properly disposed. In Lackawanna County, my constituents pay hefty fees to recycle their electronic devices. Recycling costs locally can be higher than the cost to purchase a new device as consumers are paying $50 to $200 ($.50 to $2.00 per pound) to properly dispose of an outdated and likely broken device. Last Fall, I hosted an e-waste recycling event in my district and I witnessed firsthand the enormity of the issue and the need for a statewide solution. Pennsylvanians have few practical, feasible or low-cost options to recycle old televisions, computers and other electronic devices. Current practices are unclear and many people do not know what to do with their electronics. As we find our streams and local forests littered with illegal dumping, access to more locations around the state is desperately needed. My bill is designed to provide access to recycling drop-off locations across the state. I am currently working with stakeholders to create a self-sustaining system which will coordinate retailers, manufacturers, the Department of Environmental Protection and consumers in order to meet the recycling demands in our state. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to ensure Pennsylvanians have a better option to recycle their electronic devices and to further prevent confusion and the improper disposal of these products. |