Encouraging manufacturer take-back programs is one of the best steps for long-term management of the growing e-waste problem.
The U.S. continues to lag behind Europe in requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for the waste their products produce. Municipal and state government have borne the responsibility of managing this ever-growing hazardous waste without any financial support from the companies that created it. But Electronics Take-Back programs are beginning to make some strides and some manufacturers are jumping on board early on.
Some states, including California, Maine, Maryland, Washington, and now VERMONT!, have signed laws requiring some level of manufacturer responsibility. Vermont Senate bill S.77 was signed into law on April 19, 2010. This Vermont law will regulate the collection and disposal of electronic waste and will reduce both the solid waste and the financial burden it places on municipalities and citizens to cover the costs of safe disposal. This is great news! It will go into effect in July 2011. Until then the CVSWMD will continue to offer fee-based collection events for residents of member towns.
Take-Back programs currently target computers and TVs, but could evolve to include all electronics on the market that are manufactured with the kinds of materials that make them a risk for disposal–heavy metals like lead, fire retardants, mercury, and more.
Help encourage manufacturer take-back programs!
- Contact your legislators for an update on additional take-back legislation efforts in VT,
- Contact the manufacturers whose products you buy and request more aggressive take-back programs, and/or
- Get involved in the national effort. See www.computertakeback.com and www.takebackmytv.com.
