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Acknowledgment
Executive Summary
Background
Nevada Assembly Bill 426
Definition of E-Waste
Concerns and Hazards
Federal E-Waste Regulations
Nevada's Voluntary System
Overview
Current Infrastructure
Drop-off Locations
Special Collection Events
Take-back Programs
Legislation in Other States
State Mandatory Programs
California - ARF Program
Oregon - PR Program
Maryland - PR Program
State Voluntary Systems
State E-Waste Landfill Bans
Recommendation
No Legislation - Continue
Existing Voluntary System
Appendices
Tables of Available Services
Map of Services in Nevada
Assembly Bill 426
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Recommendation
Preferred Alternative
No Legislation - Continue Existing Voluntary System
State e-waste programs were evaluated nationally to determine the most appropriate e-waste management options for Nevada. California, Oregon and other state programs were not recommended for further consideration due to inherent complexities and fiscal impacts. Although, EPA is currently working to develop national e-waste recycling program. It is unknown what the federal program would look like or when it would be adopted. We recommend that the voluntary program be continued and enhanced as described below.
No major gaps in the availability of recycling services were identified for the majority of Nevada residents. While recycling services are more limited in the rural part of the state, it is not clear that a mandatory program could be cost-effectively implemented or that a mandatory program would improve the recycling capability outside of the major urban areas. While a mandatory program could increase the recycling rate for e-waste, there would be a significant cost to state and local governments to develop and initially implement such a program and fees would be required to cover program implementation costs into the future.
Over the next few years, while the State's economy improves and as the federal program is being developed, efforts could be made to increase the e-waste recycling rate in Nevada through the existing voluntary program. Improvements could and should be made to enhance public awareness of the risks associated with the disposal of electronic waste and the benefits and availability of reuse/recycling programs and environmentally-preferable purchasing practices. With existing resources, NDEP could:
- Continue to maintain the most current e-waste recycling information on NDEP's website, www.NevadaRecycles.gov.
- Continue to work with local retailers, manufacturers, recyclers and local government officials to identify and implement new outreach and education opportunities.
- Encourage electronic manufacturers to advertise and use other means to actively promote their e-waste take-back and mail-in programs statewide.
- Encourage e-waste companies and electronics manufacturers to continue to use a variety of media to advertise e-waste collection events.
- Continue to educate Nevadans about available e-waste services via NDEP's website, www.NevadaRecycles.gov and NDEP's toll-free Recycling Hotline: (800) 597-5865.
- Make a point of promoting e-waste recycling as a part of all recycling outreach meetings and events.
- Encourage municipalities to include e-waste reuse and recycling programs in their Solid Waste Management Plans.
- Continue to track e-waste recycling and reuse information that is reported to the Division.
- Promote environmentally-preferable purchasing (EPP) practices and provide links to websites that rate electronic devices based on their toxicity on the NDEP website.
- Encourage EPP practices and EOL e-waste reuse and recycling practices at State agencies.
Should EPA be unable to develop a federal program over the next few years and if the voluntary program, after increased public education and outreach, is not achieving the desired results, the legislature could consider establishing a simplified mandatory producer responsibility program, similar to the program adopted by Maryland, and adopting a ban on the disposal of e-waste in landfills when funding necessary to develop and implement such a program becomes available. This program would be less complex and costly than the one proposed during the 2009 legislative session, but could ensure that computer CPUs, laptops, monitors and TVs are recycled or reused.
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