eWaste Update

In January, I wrote a post about the start of a program to collect certain electronic waste ("eWaste") at the Recycling Center.

The Statute provides that, effective July 1, 2009, the Town is required to segregate eWaste at the Recycling Center. There are four CEDs ("covered electronic devices"): televisions, computers, monitors and, optionally, printers. Instead of being dumped in a landfill, they will be processed in an environmentally sound manner, broken up into components and reused where possible.

Since the program is paid for by the manufacturers, there will be no charge to drop off these items.

A few moments ago, I spoke with Tom Metzner at the DEP who told me that the program will not go into effect until the Regs are passed. He thinks that the program will be ready "by the end of the year." "We're trying to do this as quickly as possible," he said, "because we know it is costing the Towns money."

In our case, it isn't costing the Town anything because there is a drop-off charge for all of these items except printers.