‘E-cycling’ will keep electronics from Pa. landfills

    An under-the-radar bill passed on the Pennsylvania House’s final session day sets up a recycling program for electronics. It may be in place in time to accommodate items replaced by next year’s holiday shopping season.  The “e-cycling” bill requires electronics manufacturers to develop programs like trade-ins or drop-offs for old TVs or computers.Sponsor Chris Ross, a Chester County Republican, said that right now, individuals or municipalities are shouldering the cost of getting their old computers to the right recycling venue, so many people just end up throwing the electronics away.”And also, it has the advantage of keeping these large electronics out of the landfills, where they take up a lot of space,” he said. “And when they do break down, they have the potential to release some contaminants that can be toxic to the water supply, and other ways troublesome.”Manufacturers will be required to register their plans with the Department of Environmental Protection, and pay an annual $5,000 fee.If a company doesn’t register, it will be prohibited from selling appliances in Pennsylvania.Ross said the plan will slowly go into effect over the next year and a half.

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