Washington Department of Ecology proposes changes to E-Cycle program

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) recently proposed revisions to the state's electronic waste recycling program, which will ensure that it is consistent with legislative changes to the state’s electronics recycling law approved in 2013.

E-Cycle Washington was created in 2009 to ensure that electronics like TVs and computers, which can contain toxic chemicals like mercury and lead, not contaminate the state’s landfills. In the intervening years, the program has overseen the recycling of more than 289 million pounds of electronics.

Ecology’s proposed updates to the program’s regulations will require further reporting on materials like cathode ray tube glass, circuit boards and batteries that are recovered through E-Cycle. The rules will also be changed to incorporate better consumer outreach in terms of providing information about how and where electronics can be recycled at points of purchase. Finally, the revisions will shift the manufacturers’ accountability for disposing and recycling of the products from a model based on the number of their products recovered to one based on their market share.

The department is accepting public comments on the proposed changes until December 10 and will hold a public hearing on the issue on December 3 at its offices in Lacey.