What's New

State legislators in both the House and Senate have introduced legislation that will create statewide programs for recycling electronic waste in Pennsylvania like old televisions and computers.

This legislation is Senate Bill 816 introduced by state Senator Ted Erickson (Delaware County), and House Bill 708 introduced by state Representative Chris Ross (Chester County).

Brief Summary

In our current age of technology, we face the challenge of how to deal with the growing stockpile of discarded electronic waste. From outdated computers, monitors and hardware to disposing of old televisions in the new era of digital television, tons and tons of electronic waste is piling up in our homes and businesses. In recycling circles, this is called e-waste.

Electronic waste contains a variety of toxic pollutants that can end up in our land and groundwater when it's buried in landfills, or in our air if it's sent to a local incinerator. From heavy metals to mercury, these pollutants must be diverted from our waste stream to be recycled and reused.

PennEnvironment is promoting legislation that will create a statewide program and requirements for recycling this e-waste. This will help us ensure that electronic waste doesn't end up in Pennsylvania's landfills and incinerators, but instead is recycled to be used in future products.