Adjusted electronic-waste bill goes to governor

Modifications to the Electronics Recycling Act were approved 112-19 by the House without any floor debate and sent to the governor.

Sponsored by Rep. Brita Sailer (DFL-Park Rapids) and Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), HF1648/SF1486* was passed 65-0 by the Senate on April 7. (Watch the floor session.)

When the act began in 2007, 11.6 tons of electronic waste was diverted from landfills because manufacturers of electronics equipment, such as computers, televisions and other electronic video devices, were required to collect the waste for recycling. Manufacturers received credit toward an annual goal of retracting 60 percent of equal amounts that they sold the previous year.

Public collection events were so successful, the retailers and manufacturers earned enough recycling credits to last up to three years. To avoid the possibility that some manufacturers could stop collections until they run out of credits, the bill proposes minor changes to the law.

It removes a three-year cap for when manufacturers must use their credits, but limits their ability to apply past credits to just 25 percent per year.

Between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, an estimated 6.3 pounds of electronic waste per Minnesotan was collected for recycling.