Retailer recycling programs collected a significant amount of waste electronics in Minnesota last year — about 30 million pounds. That was about a fifth of the electronic waste collected in accordance with state law.
The motivation is not necessarily altruism. In-store recycling is a way to help suppliers comply with state law.
Minnesota requires companies that make TVs, computer monitors and laptop computers to recycle electronic waste equal to 80 percent of what they sell, by weight, in the state. The weight requirement can be met by the collection and recycling of a wide range of consumer electronics, including desktop computers and printers.
Retailers are obviously finding a way to provide this service within their business model, said Garth Hickle, a product stewardship team leader at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He works with manufacturers and retailers to reduce harm on the environment.
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Source: Minnesota Public Radio
By Martin Moylan