Washington was one of the first states in the nation to adopt e-waste recycling legislation which WR was proud to help draft, support, and enact. This model law has been replicated throughout the country. National legislative groups tout it as the most effective way to keep e-waste out of our landfills and protect our environment. Imperative to the law’s success is that the program does not impose a fee or tax on consumers when they make an electronic purchase. Instead, the cost is embedded in the price of the item. The program is funded by the electronics manufacturers that made the products based on market share. This incentivizes manufacturers to make more environmentally friendly and more easily recycled items.
Today, there are 25 states in the U.S. with e-waste laws, plus the District of Columbia. To date, Washington State’s Department of Ecology has recycled over 450 million pounds of electronic waste. Last year alone, Washington residents and businesses recycled nearly 14 million televisions, flat panels, and computer monitors.
E-Cycle Washington is a free program that makes it easy for Washington’s small businesses to recycle certain broken, obsolete, or worn-out electronics. Items accepted include televisions, computers, laptops, monitors, tablets, and portable DVD players. To date, E-Cycle Washington has collected over 450 million pounds of used electronics.
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees can utilize the free E-Cycle program to recycle electronics. Electronic products contain valuable materials that can be recycled and toxic chemicals that should be kept out of landfills. Not only can E-Cycle Washington save businesses money, but it can help limit materials sent to a landfill.
E-Cycle simplifies recycling unwanted televisions, computers, laptops, monitors, and tablets. To find a nearby drop-off location, businesses can call 1-800-RECYCLE or go to ecyclewa.org. If the business has more than ten electronic items, they can contact the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority (MMFA) at 1-855-674-5871 before bringing them to a collection location.
Businesses may also participate in the program by becoming a collection site and receive compensation for the electronics collected. If a business has questions or is interested in becoming a collector, they can contact Lindsey Ladd at [email protected].
