Support E-Waste Recycling

Electronic waste or E-Waste is the fastest growing part of the solid waste stream and only about 12 percent of E-Waste is recycled nationwide.

The rest ends up in landfills or is shipped abroad, where it becomes mountains of toxic trash.

The main obstacle in recycling E-Waste is simple – communities do not have reasonable access to electronics recycling options. But we can change this by supporting E-Waste recycling legislation in Illinois.

E-Waste legislation will require electronic manufacturers to set up a take back program for used electronics or to partner with local recyclers to offer residents more E-Waste recycling venues close to home.

We need an E-Waste recycling system that works for everyone in Illinois.

Write your state legislator to support the Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act (SB 2313) today!

To learn more about E-Waste, go here.

Talking Points

The economic impact of an E-Waste recycling industry in Illinois is substantial. A recent study estimated the creation of nearly 2,000 jobs and $417 million in business revenue throughout the state.
The environmental cost is huge. TVs, computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment contain lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxic materials. The U.S. EPA has reported that even the smallest about of toxins leaking from our landfill can pollute our drinking water supply.
There are hidden costs as well. All too often E-Waste is dumped abroad in poor cities and villages where scavengers climb the toxic mountains of high-tech trash, only to poison their health while attempting to find pieces of metal that can maybe pay for a meal.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I urge you to support the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act (SB 2313).  This model legislation proposed by Senator Garrett bans Electronic Waste or E-Waste from landfills and requires electronics manufacturers to take responsibility for recovering and recycling the equipment in order to reach an annual state recycling goal.

This market-based approach relies on manufacturers to take responsibility for the waste they produce.  It gives extra credit to manufacturers who set up recycling programs in counties where there are few recycling facilities, or that refurbish older computers for re-use.

E-Waste is the fastest growing part of the solid waste stream.  We need to take a common sense approach that can create jobs, spur our state's economy, and provide a solution to the growing risk of landfilled E-Waste leaching toxic materials into our drinking water.

Please support an E-Waste recycling system that works in Illinois.  I urge you to support SB 2313, the Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act.  Thank you for your consideration on this important issue.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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