May 2004 - San Mateo County
Commercial Recycling and Resource Conservation Nexus
A Monthly Electronic Newsletter from RethinkWaste.org/SBWMA
Electronic Scrap - A Growing Problem
Each year in California hundreds of thousands of computers, monitors, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions, and other electronic items become "obsolete" in the eyes of consumers. This material is commonly known as electronic scrap or "e-waste".
Various solutions exist for this growing health problem:
- Local haulers collect various electronic scrap for recycling.
- Europe adopted stringent guidelines to restrict the use of hazardous substances in electronics and to hold producers responsible for taking back electronics at the end of their life.
- California adopted SB20 - Electronic Waste Recycling Act to fund the collection and processing of TVs and computer monitors.
- Mobile phone recycling legislation is being proposed.
Read below to learn more about California's efforts to properly reduce, reuse, and recycle electronic scrap.
Local Drop-Off Solutions
So, you have some electronic scrap that you'd like to properly dispose of, a computer, a stereo, and a VCR. What do you do?
Think reuse first. If your item may have a second life, contact RecycleWorks, a program of the County of San Mateo, at www.RecycleWorks.org or (888) 442-2666, who can provide a list of organizations who may take reusable computers and other electronics.
For scrap electronics, most transfer stations offer people the opportunity to drop off electronics, some for free, others charge a fee, especially for monitors and TVs. Contact your local transfer station to find out what to do with your electronic scrap.
SB20 - Electronic Waste Recycling Act
Last fall, Governor Davis signed a bill that established a funding mechanism for collection and processing of covered electronic waste (CEW), including video display products. A recycling fee (estimated to cost between $6-10) will be assessed on the sales of all televisions and computers at the time of purchase to fund cost-free and convenient collection and recycling of these items when the items are no longer wanted. The exact details are currently being discussed.
Currently, due to hazardous components, it is unlawful to dispose of covered electronic devices with regular municipal waste. Until the collection fee is implemented, you can take your electronics to a number of locations for proper recycling and disposal, including the Allied Waste Recycling Center in San Carlos.
To monitor the progress of implementation of SB20, visit the Waste Board's Web site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/ and sign up to receive electronic messages.
Source: California Integrated Waste Management Board, www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/
AB2901 - Cell Phone Recycling Act
An estimated 16.3 million cell phones become obsolete and are discarded every year in California. This means 44,650 cell phones are discarded every day by Californians.
This year, Assembly member Pavley introduced legislation addressing cell phone toxic materials phase-out and recycling. The two components address the growing problem of discarding cell phones while also considering the hazardous materials contained within cell phones.
For more information, visit the Californians Against Waste Web site at www.cawrecycles.org.
If you have a mobile phone to recycle, please consider taking it to one of the SBWMA collection points to convert that phone to cash for a community program while our partner CollectiveGood refurbishes or recycles the old phone.
Source: Californians Against Waste, www.cawrecycles.org.
Upcoming Events
May 1 - Free Spring Compost Giveaway
RethinkWaste is teaming up with its member communities to giveaway compost on Saturday, May 1, 2004. The compost is made from yard trimmings collected at the curb. Residents in the communities of Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Fair Oaks, Foster City, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and San Mateo may take up to 1 cubic yard of compost (about six full garbage cans) at no charge at select locations between 8 AM and 12 PM as long as supply lasts.
For more information, contact RethinkWaste at (650) 802-4349, info@rethinkwaste.org.
May 1 - May 31: New Life for Old Soles
RecycleWorks is organizing a countywide athletic shoe recycling collection. Drop off old sneakers at various locations around San Mateo County.
For more information, contact RecycleWorks at www.recycleworks.org, (888) 442-2666, or info@RecycleWorks.org.
May 22 9am - 2pm: Computer Collection Event for Reuse and Recycling
Drop off up to five computer systems for reuse and recycling at San Mateo County Expo parking lot in San Mateo. No fee for residents and small businesses of Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, Redwood City, San Carlos, and San Mateo.
For more information, contact RethinkWaste at (650) 802-4349, info@rethinkwaste.org.
Factoid
130 million cell phones are estimated to become obsolete and discarded each year in the US.
Source: Californians Against Waste
To be added or removed from this list, contact the RethinkWaste Recycling Coordinator at (650) 802-3500.
