Texans recycle high volume of computers in 2009

Feb. 4 – Texans recycled 12.4 million pounds of computer equipment last year, according to the state’s Commission on Environmental Quality.

TCEQ said during the discarded electronics were collected during the first year of the state’s new computer recycling program, which requires computer manufacturers that sell in Texas to offer consumers convenient, free recycling for their brands of computer equipment.

Under the program, manufacturers collected for reuse or recycling 12.4 million pounds of computer equipment in 2009.

Currently, 81 manufacturers representing 116 brands are participating in the program.

To help cities, counties, community groups, and schools promote computer-equipment recycling in newsletters and Web sites, the TCEQ provides free print ads and Web banners available for download at TexasRecyclesComputers.org.

Texas consumers can learn how to recycle their computer equipment by visiting TexasRecyclesComputers.org. The site provides a link to each manufacturer’s program as well as additional information for consumers, manufacturers, and retailers. For more information on the program contact the TCEQ’s Pollution Prevention and Education section, 512-239-3143.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com