Marjie Lundstrom: Heard about the e-waste recycling deadline? (Didn't think so)

Sacramento Bee ^ | 2/9/6 | Marjie Lundstrom

[SmithL]

In this month packed with holidays and special observances - Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day, National Grapefruit Month, Thank A Mailman Day, Ronald Reagan's birthday - there is one you may have missed, a deadline that affects virtually everyone living in California.

It arrived this week with little fanfare, which is puzzling, considering the scope of the deal.

Beginning today, anyone with a used battery, fluorescent light tube, old cell phone - the list goes on and on - can no longer toss the thing into the trash, bound for the landfill.

One stroll through a kid's bedroom or peek in the utility closet, and you can see the magnitude here.

From now on, we Californians are responsible for laying to rest our kids' oh-so-last-year iPods, light-up sneakers and singing greeting cards. We're in charge of funeral arrangements for that closet full of old oven cleaner, dead VCRs and iffy AA batteries.

All the above contain hazardous materials, including mercury and lead, that could harm people or the environment if left in landfills.

Californians have had four years to prepare for this, though you have to wonder - absent a full-blown publicity campaign - how with-it we all are.

Electronic waste, known as e-waste, along with other household items, was classified as universal waste and banned from California landfills in 2002, but homes and small businesses were given an extension through Feb. 8 of this year.

[SmithL]

joy unbounded

[markman46]

and just where is all this e-waste suppost to be taken to be "recycled"???

[SIDENET]

Beginning today, anyone with a used battery, fluorescent light tube, old cell phone - the list goes on and on

Sheesh. Everyone knows that you don't throw away old fluorescent light bulbs. You take them outside and have "jedi light saber" fights with them.

[swmobuffalo]

Don't know about California but in Missouri, we have hazardous waste recycling facilities. They aren't widespread but most large cities and counties have some kind of program for such stuff.

[vbmoneyspender]

and just where is all this e-waste suppost to be taken to be "recycled"???

At the government recycling center where they charge you lots of money to put this stuff in a special roped-off section of the same landfill where all of the other trash goes into.

[Graybeard58]

You take them outside and have "jedi light saber" fights with them.

That's what I do with mine anyway.

Also the cardboard roll from Christmas wrapping paper makes a good club to hit somebody with when you don't want to hurt them a lot.

[American Quilter]

The truth is - and the state is first to admit this - the toxics police will not hunt down individual violators. Throwing away a singing greeting card will not bring on a night in the slammer. "If you're asking if we're going door-to-door to try to determine whether or not Mr. and Mrs. California are throwing away batteries - no, we're not going to do that," said DTSC spokesman Ron Baker.

So it's just another govt boondoggle. Create more govt jobs, justify more tax dollars--who cares if the program actually accomplishes anything?

[NormsRevenge]

and just where is all this e-waste suppost to be taken to be "recycled"???

--

Rosario Marin is going to stuff it under her skirt. Waa Laa

Presto Chango.. Pooof!

[D-Chivas]

Your average CRT monitor has 5 pounds of lead in it. You don't want that in a landfill because it will leech into your water supply.

[scan59]

> Your average CRT monitor has 5 pounds of lead in it. You don't want that in a landfill because it will leech into your water supply.

Actually, all modern landfills have liners to prevent this kind of leeching.

[dhs12345]

How many years are these liners supposed to last?

[SmithL]

Longer than the monitor, I would hope.

[MD_Willington_1976]

We have a plan like this, it's called, "stuff that stuff in what's left of the derby car"...

[Disambiguator]

Sheesh. Everyone knows that you don't throw away old fluorescent light bulbs. You take them outside and have "jedi light saber" fights with them.

Or you can send them to David Letterman so he can pitch them off the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theatre.

[markman46]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA... ROFLMAO

[Carry_Okie]

Your average CRT monitor has 5 pounds of lead in it. You don't want that in a landfill because it will leech into your water supply.

Funny, the water at Gettysburg and Verdun is just fine.

You may want to develop a bit more skepticism about the eco-drivel you've been fed. Lead oxide is far more stable than you apparently realize unless serious acids are present.

[VOA]

In California, some guys are getting rich at this: paid to haul it off,
make $$$ recovering gold and other metals from the machines.
I wouldn't be suprised if they also aren't shipping refurbished
machines south of the border or overseas.

[markman46]

that would not surprise me in the least, plus when you buy any new electronic(tv, computer, monitor) you have to pay a recycling fee.

[stboz]

"If you're asking if we're going door-to-door to try to determine whether or not Mr. and Mrs. California are throwing away batteries - no, we're not going to do that," said DTSC spokesman Ron Baker.

BUT! they will be coming after you IF you have money.....businesses are the target.

Any lawyers here care to comment about equal protection under the law? If Mr. & Mrs Surferdude can chunk their waste in the trash without fear of retribution, I feel threatened. I want Mr. & Mrs. Surferdude prosecuted....every damn one of 'em!