Recycle 100% of E-Waste!
MN Legislators: Support E-Waste Recycling Across Minnesota
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the fastest growing portion of the municipal waste stream as consumers dispose of more phones, TVs, computers, and other electronic devices every year. It also contains a significant amount of heavy metals, like lead, and other toxic materials that when disposed of in landfills or burned in garbage incinerators can leach into groundwater or pollute the air in surrounding communities.
Currently, e-waste disposal sites are few and far between outside of Minnesota’s dense population centers, and those that exist only accept a limited type of electronics and often charge fees that are a burden on those who can least afford it. Widespread collection requires staff, facilities, and funding, which can be a challenge for under-resourced counties and municipalities.
This legislative session, CURE and our allies will again be pushing for a bill that supports 100% Recycling of Electronic Waste that would require electronic manufacturers to fully fund the collection of all electronic waste, ensuring it’s recycled responsibly in all parts of the state.
We could be making much better use of our old electronics because e-waste is a valuable source of reusable metals and materials like copper, gold, and palladium. But to make that happen, Minnesota’s communities and residents need more options for dealing with this growing source of waste. Counties need suitable funding for collection, and the industries making profits from these products should pick up that tab. Legislators need to hear from their constituents like you to make sure this bill is a priority. Send a message to your state representatives telling them to support this legislation today!
