Toolkit For State Legislative Advocates

E-Waste Facts and Figures

How big is the probem? How much e-waste is "out there." How much is coming back?

This is a compilation of statistics from various reports from governments, NGOs, and industry that help describe the problem, with sources and links provided. This is useful for press as well as for advocates preparing testimony.

Collection Volumes by State.

How much e-waste is coming back under the state-mandated e-waste recycling programs?

Updated

Trashed or Recycled: What Happens To Our E-Waste?

This fact sheet shows the EPA's latest numbers on electronic waste the municipal waste stream showing that only 13.6% of disposed e-waste is recycled. 2 pages. (Updated with 2007 info.)

Minnesota County E-Waste Survey:
What is e-waste doing to Minnesota’s 87 counties?

In 2006, the Association of Minnesota Counties surveyed all counties in the state about their experience in managing the e-waste problem, including reports of illegal dumping, costs to local government, and services available to local residents.

This survey helped to make the e-waste problem very real for legislators, by documenting the extent of the problem and current costs in each legislator's district. The AMC lobbied for the producer responsibility bill passed in 2007, which will shift these costs from local government to industry. 16 pages.

How Much E-Waste is Exported Each Year?

We export over 5000 shipping containers of e-waste each year. Stacked in one tower, it would reach over 8 miles high.

Obsolete Computers, "Gold Mine," or High-Tech Trash? Resource Recovery from Recycling

A fact sheet from the USGS, by Donald Bleiwas and Thomas Kelly, explains the resource savings that can be realized by recycling computers.

Sample Fact: "For example, 1 metric ton (t) of electronic scrap from personal computers (PC’s) contains more gold than that recovered from 17 tons of gold ore."

Comparing Scope of Products of All E-Waste Laws.

What electronics products are covered for recycling under each law in the US? List includes bills introduced, plus Europe and Canada.

Brief Comparison of All State E-waste laws

Chart compares all state e-waste laws on basic criteria.

This is a good overview of the laws.

Detailed Comparison of State E-waste laws

See how all state laws compare on a detailed list of the same criteria. Link to detailed comparison.

For serious policy wonks only!

Fact Sheet: In What States Can TVs Go In The Trash?

In 2009, the digital TV transition, lead consumers to get rid of TENS of MILLIONS of TVs. Yet only SIX states have disposal bans in place, that make it illegal to throw TVs in the trash. Others have passed bans to start in future years.

Fact sheet link.

States With Disposal Bans

Many states have already passed some kind of e-waste disposal ban: landfill bans, incinerator bans, or both.

This fact sheet explains details, what products are banned and effective dates on all bills and laws, as well as links to the laws themselves.

What states have passed laws?

What bills are in play in the states in 2009?

List of all states, showing which have passed e-waste recycling laws and disposal ban laws, and e-waste bills currently being considered by states (or expected to be introduced).

States are still getting their 2009 legislative sessions underway, so not all bills are introduced yet. This document is updated regularly.

Fact Sheet:

How Producer Responsibility Laws Can Save Millions for Local Government

Details on how the Washington State e-waste law is saving millions of dollars for local governments.