This is a press release courtesy of Lane County

Beginning in January, recycling of electronics will become a lot easier in Lane County due to a new state wide “E-Cycles” program resulting from the passage of  the 2007 Oregon Electronics Recycling Law  (ORS 459A.300‐.365). This means that beginning in January, anyone can recycle seven or fewer of the following items at no charge:  computers and monitors, laptops and televisions.  

This new opportunity will be in effect at only five of the 16 waste transfer stations operated by Lane County: 

• Vida
• Florence
• Cottage Grove
• Veneta
• Glenwood Central Receiving Station.

Locking storage boxes will protect the items from the elements until County staff can ship them to an approved recycler in the E-Cycles program. All materials will be reviewed for reuse by NextStep Recycling which places usable computers with those in need. 

Anyone with more than seven items will still need to make an appointment by calling 682-3111. The E-Cycles program ensures free recycling of this material for households. Small Businesses and nonprofits with 10 or fewer employees are also provided free disposal, but larger businesses and nonprofits with more than 10 employees will be expected to pay the fees that were in effect last year. 

Oregon E-Cycles is an example of product stewardship legislation in which producers are required to take greater responsibility for managing their products environmental impacts--especially environmentally sound disposal of products that contain toxic components. This system encourages manufacturers to design products that can be more easily recycled or use fewer natural resources to create.

Oregon E-Cycles  will be providing free and convenient recycling of computers, laptops, monitors and televisions in all Oregon counties and in all Oregon cities with a population of at least 10,000. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality oversees the program, which state lawmakers made possible through 2007 legislation.

The 2007 legislation  mandates that electronics manufacturers may not sell in Oregon unless they participate in the program. Many manufacturers support the DEQ-administered state contractor program by paying operating fees.  Some manufacturers operate their own statewide recycling program. All of these programs meet the same environmental management standards and operate under the Oregon E-Cycles umbrella.

Retail outlets selling computers, computer monitors and televisions will be required to sell only brands that are listed as “compliant” or “pending” on DEQ’s manufacturer compliance list. Retailers will provide consumers with information about Oregon E-Cycles when they purchase new computers, monitors and televisions.

Citizens Oregonians can learn more about Oregon E-Cycles and how it works through a new Web site, www.oregonecycles.org. Starting January 1, site users will be able to find the nearest recycling/collection site to drop off their unwanted computers, monitors and televisions. Participating collection sites will be open to accept these items after Jan. 1.

The Web site offers specific information targeted for consumers, manufacturers and retailers, and includes fact sheets and answers to frequently asked questions. Oregonians will also be able to have questions answered through a toll-free hotline, 1-800-5-ECYCLE (1-800-532-9253), which also will be operational beginning Jan. 1.