The Problem and the Opportunity How Illinois’ New Electronic Waste Law Affects Municipalities Illinois Association of County Board Members & Commissioners Spring 2009 Conference

The Statistics 2.5 million tons of e-waste in ‘05 Only 13% recycled Fastest growing element of solid waste stream Much of it exported to third world

The Solution in Illinois Public Act Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act Sponsored by State Sen. Susan Garrett and State Rep. Elaine Nekritz Enacted: September 2008 First program year: 2010

The Act in a Nutshell On January 1, 2010: Electronics manufacturers must implement recycling/refurbishment programs for residential: Computers (including laptops) Computer monitors Televisions Printers The “covered electronic devices” - the “Big 4” Recycling/refurbishment must be free to Illinois residents All four devices will be banned from landfills as of January 1, 2012

How the Act Will Work All manufacturers seeking to sell products in Illinois must register 66 already have Illinois EPA to set annual recycling/refurbishment goal for each manufacturer Manufacturers can meet their goals as they see fit Free-market will dictate over time the most cost effective approach No restrictions on which manufacturers recycle which brands The 2010 overall goal: 31 million pounds!

Key Features of the Act Double-credit for CEDs recycled/refurbished in underserved counties All but Champaign, Clay, Clinton, Cook, DuPage, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Jackson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, Livingston, Macoupin, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, St. Clair, Sangamon, Schuyler, Stevenson, Warren, Will, Williamson, and Winnebago The other 73 are underserved

Key Features of the Act Triple-credit for CEDs refurbished instead of recycled, and then donated to: Public schools Not-for-profits serving low income families Developmentally disabled

Other Devices will be Recycled Manufacturers can fulfill their goals by also recycling or refurbishing: Cell phones Computer keyboards, mice, etc. Fax machines AV equipment like DVD players Other equipment specified in the Act These are called “Eligible Electronic Devices”, or EEDs

Municipalities: Get Involved! Manufacturers will be contracting with partners to help with: Collection Recycling Refurbishment IEPA to publish list of registered manufacturers this summer (66 already have registered) Pick up the phone!

Processor Responsibilities Collectors, recyclers, and refurbishers must register To recycle or refurbish CEDs, a company must register Recyclers and refurbishers must also pay an annual registration fee Goal is to ensure best management practices in recycling/refurbishment industry Collectors are a key component of the program

Collector Reporting Collectors play a critical role They are the “public face” of e-waste processing Their annual report of collections will serve as check-and-balance for similar report written by manufacturers Report will also drive recycling goals for the next year Collectors (including municipalities) must register with the state List of registered collectors, recyclers, and refurbishers will be published on IEPA website accessible to potential manufacturer partners

Recycling Industry to Grow Close to 2,000 jobs projected Talk to recyclers/refurbishers about expanding in your community IEPA to post list of registered recyclers/refurbishers this summer Registration commits companies to environmental/safety standards

How will my Residents Know What to Do? Retailers are primarily responsible for consumer education IEPA has contact list of retailers Agency will prepare educational materials for retailers to post in stores and on-line Retailers expected to train employees Local governments can post these materials too IEPA has started new website recycling/

Questions? Joe Shacter Consultant to Western Illinois Regional Council and Illinois EPA (h/o/f) (cell) Help Illinois EPA help you - how can we support your efforts in your communities?