State electronics recycling program to begin Jan. 1 for TVs, computers
From our weekly issue dated December 31, 2008
Although it has been possible up to now to dispose of certain electronics equipment for a fee, legislation passed this year will help Oregon consumers recycle unused electronics equipment free of charge.
Oregon E-Cycles is a new statewide program that requires electronics manufacturers to “provide for responsible recycling of computers, monitors and TVs,” the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) states on its Website.
Consumers can bring up to seven items to a collection site at one time. Collection sites may accept more items from nonprofit organizations and small businesses with 10 or fewer employees, DEQ said. It stresses that the program does not provide for free disposal of mice, keyboards, printers, scanners or other types of electronics or appliances.
The program is funded by manufacturers who must choose to pay a recycling fee to participate in the state-sponsored program, or pay for and implement their own statewide program. Furthermore, manufacturers must pay to register their brands with DEQ.
Unregistered brands of computers, monitors and TVs may not be sold in or into the state by any means, DEQ said. Other electronics products by those manufacturers are not affected.
According to a representative, Southern Oregon Sanitation (SOS) in Grants Pass, which serves Illinois Valley and other Josephine County areas, will be ready to accept TVs, computers, monitors and other items free of charge beginning Thursday, Jan. 1.
“We are definitely planning on having containers at the Kerby Transfer Station,” the aide said, “and at our main location at 1381 Redwood Ave. and the Merlin Transfer Station.”
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Collection will be supervised, and the various products separated. SOS is providing the space for the containers, but does not recycle the items; they are passed on to another entity. The Oregonian reports that state regulators have developed environmental standards and are requiring recyclers to document their downstream vendors.
Other organizations that currently accept electronic equipment include Grants Pass-based Project Restart (474-9876), which refurbishes working machines to place with partnering organizations; and Medford-based Regenesys (772-8023 or www.ecsre genesys.com) which purports to completely “regenerate electronic waste back into raw materials for manufacturing.”
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