IL Law Places Recycling Responsibility on Manufacturers

The legislation increases from 50 percent to 80 percent the recycling goals for manufacturers of electronics and imposes penalties when the goals aren’t met

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By Jamie Munks

State Journal-Register

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation increasing the amount of electronics that manufacturers must pay to recycle annually, placing more of the recycling cost burden on the companies that churn out the products rather than on local governments and consumers.

The legislation says that electronic manufacturers can’t charge local governments for the collection of electronics for recycling and increases by about 10 million pounds the state’s overall electronics recycling goal. It’s geared toward boosting underfunded electronics recycling programs that continue to see demand in the ever-updating digital age.

“It’s a huge improvement and a step along the path,” said Wynne Coplea, president of the Illinois Recycling Association.

The new combined recycling goal for this year is 30.8 million pounds for manufacturers of televisions and computer monitors and 15.8 million pounds for manufacturers of other electronic devices.

Read full coverage here.