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Effective July 1 Maryland has established a Statewide Computer Recycling
Pilot Program to be administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE).
With the General Assembly’s passage of House Bill 575 earlier this year,
Maryland becomes one of three states, including California and Maine, to enact
computer recycling (eCycling) legislation. The legislation requires
manufacturers who manufacture an average of more than 1,000 computers over the
previous three years to register with MDE and pay a registration fee if they
want to sell computers in Maryland on or after January 1, 2006.
Since eCycling began in Maryland in October 2001, more than 3,905 tons of
electronics have been recycled. These materials have been collected through 63
one and two-day events, seven permanent or on-going activities, and three
curbside events throughout the state. Effective through 2010, the legislation is
a first step towards a permanent Maryland eCycling program.
“We look forward to working with the manufacturers to ensure that we have a
successful take-back program for electronics. said MDE Deputy Secretary Jonas
Jacobson. “Preventing these materials from entering the waste stream is good for
the environment and will enhance our waste disposal options for the future.
They’ll be one less thing that goes into landfills. We’re proud of this landmark
program that has already received national attention as a model on electronics
recycling.”
The program is designed to improve upon Maryland’s successes and reduce the
amount of toxics such as lead, mercury, and cadmium entering the waste stream.
It is estimated that Maryland throws away approximately 60,160 tons per year of
electronics.
The initial registration fee for a computer manufacturer is $5,000. If a
computer manufacturer has an MDE-approved computer “take back” program, the
subsequent annual registration fee is $500. If the manufacturer does not have a
“take back” program, the subsequent annual registration fee remains at $5,000.
The registration fees will be placed into the State Recycling Trust Fund to:
- Provide grants to counties that have addressed methods for
the separate collection and recycling of computers;
- Provide grants to municipalities to implement local computer
recycling programs; and
- To carry out the purposes of the Office of Recycling.
MDE will inform county governments regarding the new law during a Sept. 8
meeting of the County Solid Waste and Recycling Managers.
Since late July, MDE has contacted more than 250 manufacturers to inform them
of the law and obtain accurate contact information for future correspondence.
This fall, registration forms will be sent to the manufacturers along with
additional information concerning implementation of the law.
For more information, interested parties may contact Hilary Miller via e-mail
at: Hilary.Miller@maryland.gov.
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