Washington's E-waste Law
The Washington State Electronics Recycling Bill (SB 6428) was signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire on March 24, 2006. WAC 173-900-010, adopted in November 2006, established the Electronic Products Recycling Program administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The law requires manufacturers of covered electronic products (CEPs) offered for sale in Washington to create and finance a system for the collection, transportation, and processing of CEPs by January 1, 2009. CEPs include computers, computer monitors, laptop computers and televisions (both cathode ray tubes and flat screens). "Manufacturers" include original equipment manufacturers and resellers of CEPs, including importers and retailers selling their own brands. Manufacturers, collectors, and transporters of CEPs must register with the WA Department of Ecology (Ecology). Registration fees and plan submission fees will be used to cover Ecology's costs associated with implementation. Manufacturers must join the standard program established by the legislation or, in certain situations, may be authorized to operate their own independent program individually or collectively with other manufacturers. Each program can decide how it will allocate costs among members. Recycling services through such programs must be available to all households, charities, small businesses, small governments, and schools at no charge to the product owner with at least one collection point for every city with a population of 10,000 or more, and in each county.
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