California strengthens e-waste recycling with new law.
A California Bill Aims to Regulate Electronic Waste Exports
A California bill aimed at further regulating exports of electronic waste was signed into law Oct. 4 by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Senate Bill 568, authored by Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), now requires those exporting electronic waste or electronic devices to other states or foreign countries for recycling or disposal to demonstrate that such cannot be done by an in-state recycler at least 60 days before exporting.
“[SB 568] encourages the producers of electronic waste, to find appropriate ways to recycle in state,” Mr. Newman told The Epoch Times. “The goal is to help create a viable industry for the collection and recycling of electronic waste in California.”
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E-waste is the world’s fastest-growing solid waste stream.
A recent study by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research estimates that over 50 million tons of electronic waste is generated worldwide each year, and only 17 percent was processed appropriately.
According to another report from the University of California–Berkeley, Americans dispose of more than 350,000 cell phones and 120,000 laptops daily.
However, the bill’s author said that much of the recycling—often done out-of-state—occurs in unprotected environments, posing potential health risks for workers and environmental hazards due to hazardous materials, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
“The companies that are reclaiming this waste … they’re using very low-cost labor, [which] is often child labor. It’s workers that are exposed, in many ways, to these materials that are incredibly dangerous,” he said.
Mr. Newman said that exploring recycling resources within the state can largely reduce such problems.
“It’ll put [California recycling companies] in a better position to receive this waste instead of going to other channels, especially outside the country, where typically, it’s not handled in ways that are safer for the environment, and for the workers who handle it,” he said.
Currently, there are over 600 e-waste recycling locations and more than 30 approved recyclers in California, according to an analysis of the bill.
Additionally, Mr. Newman said the bill will create economic value by encouraging the recycling of precious metals, meeting increasing demands as California transitions toward a market that relies more heavily on electric technologies.
He added that the majority of e-waste is currently ending up in landfills, where the materials cannot be effectively recovered or reused.
In 2003, California enacted the Electronic Waste Recycling Act, which established a program for the proper recycling and disposal of e-waste.
The new law includes charging consumers a recycling fee, making manufacturers create recycling programs, and setting goals to reduce the amount of electronic waste in landfills.
Last year, SB 1215, also introduced by Mr. Newman, was signed into law to add battery-embedded products—devices like laptops and smartphones with embedded batteries—to existing e-waste recycling programs covered under the recycling act.
“This is kind of an extension of that work to try to find market-based solutions that solve environmental problems and do so in ways that create value for California,” Mr. Newman said.
How does electronic waste contribute to the global waste stream, and what percentage of it is processed appropriately?
Uce the environmental impact of electronic waste disposal and ensure that it is done in a safe and responsible manner.
One of the main goals of SB 568 is to encourage electronic waste producers to find appropriate ways to recycle within the state of California. By imposing stricter regulations on the export of electronic waste, the bill aims to create a viable industry for the collection and recycling of electronic waste within California itself.
E-waste is a major global concern, and it is the fastest-growing solid waste stream in the world. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research estimates that over 50 million tons of electronic waste is generated worldwide each year, and only 17 percent of this waste is processed appropriately. This means that the majority of electronic waste ends up in landfills or is exported to other countries where it may be improperly disposed of.
In the United States, the problem is particularly significant, with Americans disposing of millions of cell phones and laptops on a daily basis. However, much of the recycling of these devices occurs out-of-state, often in unsafe and unprotected environments. This poses serious risks for workers who are exposed to hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
Furthermore, the bill highlights the issue of exploitative labor practices in electronic waste recycling. Companies that reclaim electronic waste often employ low-cost labor, including child labor, which further exacerbates the ethical concerns associated with electronic waste disposal.
By requiring exporters to demonstrate that in-state recycling options are not available before exporting electronic waste, SB 568 aims to address these environmental and labor concerns. This legislation seeks to ensure that recycling and disposal of electronic waste are carried out in a responsible manner, protecting both the environment and the workers involved.
The signing of SB 568 into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom is a positive step towards addressing the growing problem of electronic waste. It will help create more sustainable solutions for electronic waste management within California and potentially serve as a model for other states and countries to follow.
In conclusion, the new California bill aimed at regulating electronic waste exports is an important step towards creating a more sustainable and responsible approach to electronic waste management. By encouraging in-state recycling and ensuring that electronic waste is not exported without justification, this legislation seeks to protect both the environment and the workers involved in the recycling process. It is a significant move towards addressing the global issue of electronic waste and should be commended for its commitment to environmental and ethical responsibility.
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