Colorado’s Landfill Ban on E-Waste Awaits Governor’s Signature

A landfill ban on electronic waste has passed the Colorado House and heads to Gov. John Hickenlooper for final approval after being previously approved by the state Senate.

Senate Bill 133 passed the Senate, 28-6, and the House, 43-20, according to state records. The bill bans e-waste from being placed in solid waste landfills starting July 1, 2013. The bill covers computers, monitors, televisions, DVD players and other electronics.

The bill allows for an exemption, saying county commissioners could opt out of the ban if the county does not have at least two electronic waste recycling events a year or have an ongoing e-waste recycling program for its residents. The county board must vote for the exemption and must make a “good faith effort” to secure e-waste services before voting to exempt its residents. The exemption would be good for two years, when the county must go through the process again.

The bill also forces state agencies to recycle e-waste with a certified recycler. The recycler must be certified by either R2 or e-Stewards, according the bill.

There are 18 states with e-waste bans, and Pennsylvania’s ban goes into effect in January.

Source: Waste & Recycling News
By Jeremy Carroll