"Each item likely displaces another, leaving behind a heap of electro-rubble. " - Shelby Wood, The Oregonian

In 2006, the Washington Environmental Council helped lead a coalition to pass the most comprehensive electronics recycling law in the nation.
In January, Washington State residents can recycle computers, monitors, laptops and TVs through over 200 registered collectors for FREE. The collector network includes Value Village Shops, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and County recycling and waste transfer stations. Fifty to sixty percent of the sites will be through nonprofit agencies with retail outlets.
"E-Cycle will help Goodwill fulfill its mission of providing money for job training and programs while simultaneously giving residents an ongoing location for responsibly disposing of some electronics. Recycling is free to residents, small businesses, school districts, small governments and charities." (Matthew Erlich, Goodwill Tacoma. FederalWay Mirror)

"Based on experience in other states, organizers expect Washington’s 6.7 million people to recycle about 4 pounds of electronics per person next year.

That adds up to more than 13,000 tons of electronic equipment that otherwise would end up in landfills.

Some portion will still end up in landfills, says Miles Kuntz, the Washington State Department of Ecology manager overseeing the program, but through e-cycling, toxic material such as lead, cadmium and mercury will be more safely disposed of, and at least some of the metals, glass and plastics in the products will be recycled." - (Tacoma News Tribune)


State E-Waste Laws and Bills Considered for 2008 (Electronics TakeBack Coalition)

There are now 17 states with similar programs; the National Center for Electronics Recycling tracks such laws. It estimates that just under 50 percent of the US population is now covered by such measures. (TMC Green Blog)

"Washington's law is the first in the nation to require electronics producers to pay for the whole process.

But, please, don't everyone haul your used computers, monitors, laptops and TVs to the recycling center the first week of January, industry and government officials are pleading. They fear a glut of electronic waste clogging the system just as it gets off the ground." - (Seattle PI)


"Manufacturers such as Sony, Dell and Panasonic -- 212 in all -- will be paying the bill instead.

Collection sites, transporters of the goods and recycling processors will be paid by the pound at a rate based on typical recycling costs to them.

"It is an exciting day," said Sego Jackson, a principal planner for Snohomish County who helped shape the statewide program called E-Cycle Washington. "It's a system that is flipped on its head."

Hailed as a huge victory for the environment and electronics-saddled consumers..."(The Everett Herald)

'www.wmmfa.net has a nice way of putting you in a loop of websites without ever telling you where to go to recycle anything. Typical" (Comment KOMO.TV)