California Legislature OKs electronic waste stewardship proposal

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (Sept. 3) -- The California Legislature passed an electronic waste stewardship bill Aug. 31. The measure, the first of its type in the United States, requires retailers and manufacturers to charge a fee on consumer electronics.

The bill, introduced by California Sen. Byron Sher, would require retailers and manufacturers to collect a $10 front-end fee on all computer monitors and television sets containing cathode ray tubes. The state will administer the fees to create a recycling infrastructure for electronics.

The bill sets CRT recycling goals of 25 percent by 2004, 50 percent by 2007 and 70 percent by 2010. Californians recycle about 20 percent of their computer monitors and 10 percent of their television sets.

The measure awaits the signature of Gov. Gray Davis, who has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the legislation.