E-Waste and Recycling Laws to Look For in 2022

With the problems of e-waste and other general waste getting bigger, recycling and e-recycling laws and regulations that aim to remediate these issues are also increasing in number not only in the US but all across the globe. The EPA, on November 15th 2021, released the National Recycling Strategy, which looks to create a circular economy.??

If we look at different states, almost all of them are looking to improve their recycling rates in 2022 through e-waste recycling and general recycling laws, and e-waste regulations. Let us look at the changes that are being made in several state laws:?

California’s Composting Law?

California is joining Vermont in its composting act that was previously enacted statewide and required businesses and residents to recycle their food scraps through composting. California composting law got enacted on 1st January and requires that all Californians recycle their food scraps through curbside pickup or backyard composting. Furthermore, all hospital kitchens, grocery stores, and restaurants are required to donate 20% of their excess food to programs that feed the needy or to food shelves.??

Wahington and Connecticut’s Recycled Content Laws?

In Connecticut, by 1st December 2022, recycled content must be a part of the containers and bottles that get manufactured. Similarly, manufacturers need to put 10% of recycled content into the manufacturing of trash bags and 15% into the production of bottles in Washington by the end of this year.?

EPR Packaging and Plastics Bills?

In Oregon and Maine, bills have been passed that put the responsibility of the packaging onto manufacturers. They also need to finance programs that look to gather and recycle the packaging and containers they produce. Oregon manufacturers are also required to pay an annual membership fee under Oregon's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which will be dedicated to the improvement of recycling facilities.??

Other than these acts and bills, some other 2022 laws include:?

- New York has banned polystyrene foam food containers and styrofoam peanuts?

- People in California and Washington are required to ask for single-use plastic products in restaurants?

- Single-serve condiment packages and plastic cutlery, and other small disposable food service items are banned in Washington, DC. The Zero Waste Omnibus Amendment Act of 2020 also went into effect in January 2022, which bans rechargeable electronics and battery producers as well as consumers from disposing of spent batteries without the assistance of battery recycling programs?

- Curbside recycling containers are not allowed to contain most of the plastics and glass anymore in Polk County, Florida?

Recycling Laws?

When it comes to electronic waste regulations, retailers and manufacturers in many states are required to either sponsor recycling events or offer return programs. The District of Columbia, along with 25 other states, have legislations that establish a statewide e-waste recycling program. California was the first state to adopt this method through its Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003.?

Colorado enacted SB 133 in 2012 that prohibited electronic devices from being disposed of at solid waste landfills. The law also mandates state agencies to e-recycle devices.??

States With E-Waste Laws?

Here are all the states and their acts that lay out e-waste rules and regulations:?

- California - Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003?

- Connecticut - Connecticut’s Electronics Recycling Law 2007?

- Hawaii - Electronic Device Television Recycling Law 2008?

- Illinois - Electronic Waste Recycling 2008?

- Indiana - Electronic Waste 2009?

- Maine - Electronics Recycling 2004?

- Maryland - e-Cycling in MD 2005?

- Michigan - Electronic Waste Takeback Program 2008?

- Minnesota - Minnesota's Electronic Recycling Act 2007?

- Missouri - Electronic Waste 2008?

- New Jersey - E-Cycle New Jersey 2008?

- New York - E-Waste Recycling 2010?

- North Carolina - North Carolina Electronics Management Program 2007?

- Oklahoma - E-Waste Information 2008?

- Oregon - Electronics Waste 2007?

- Pennsylvania - Electronic Recycling Management Program 2010?

- Rhode Island - Electronic Waste 2008?

- South Carolina - Electronics 2010?

- Texas - Electronics Recycling and Waste Reduction 2007?

- Utah - 2011?

- Vermont - Vermont e-Cycles 2010?

- Virginia - Virginia's Computer Recovery and Recycling Act 2008?

- Washington - E-Cycle Washington 2006?

- West Virginia - E-Waste West Virginia 2008?

- Wisconsin - E-Cycle Wisconsin 2009?

The goal of e-waste disposal rules and e-waste laws is to reduce e-scrap pollution from damaging the environment. While non-compliance with various e-waste recycling laws can get businesses as well as individuals in legal trouble, it is also our responsibility to actively participate in the environment preservation efforts.??

Businesses and individuals can easily do that with the help of e-recycling firms. It would help if you made sure that all your redundant, obsolete, and unwanted electronic devices go to a certified and responsible e-waste recycling company, like CompuCycle, which is compliant with each and every electronic waste recycling out there.??

To make sure you or your business does not go against the e-waste act of your state, get in touch with CompuCycle now. The e-recycling company is compliant with all local and international electronics disposal laws and specializes in the secure destruction of data.??