Recyclers Encourage Lawmakers To Update E-Cycling Rules

The state’s largest recycling coalition supports a bill that would change state law regarding electronic waste like old televisions and computers.

The 2009 e-waste law banned many consumer electronics from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators. Under the law, manufacturers pay a fee to help fund the recycling of the electronics, with recycling targets established based on the weight of products sold today.

Many of the products on the market today are now lighter, but much of what’s being recycled are still heavier items. Meleesa Johnson of the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin said if a bill that lawmakers are now taking up at the state Capitol doesn’t get passed, consumers will end up paying more to recycle their TVs and computer monitors.

“Where they may have paid $5 for recycling a computer monitor, they may have to pay $20 or $30 now to help meet the cost of doing this,” she said.

Johnson said the bill authored by state Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, would base recycling targets on what manufacturers sell over several years.