Upfront computer disposal fees may be on the way up

Sacramento Bee ^ | 5/28/7 | Jim Sanders

[SmithL]

Call it a burial plan for your personal computer.

Proposed legislation would expand the notion of paying for the demise of your new computer before you make the first keystroke.

Several years ago, California tacked a $6 to $10 fee on the sale of computer monitors to bolster recycling efforts.

Now the target is the computer's innards -- its central processing unit, or "tower," that interprets instructions and handles data.

Assembly Bill 1535 would charge a $6 fee on each of the millions of computer processing units sold in California each year.

Disposal fees could be a wave of the future, with environmentalists eyeing similar charges for scanners, printers and fax machines.

Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said consumers are becoming increasingly aware of health dangers posed by toxic waste. Lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals in many electronics products have been linked to cancer, kidney and other health problems.

"More and more, we're starting to connect these global environmental problems with the choices that we make as consumers and businesses," said Huffman, who crafted AB 1535.

The disposal fee is designed to bolster the number of recyclers accepting personal computers, which are classified as hazardous waste.

"It's illegal to throw them away, but you can't conveniently recycle them," Huffman said.

Critics counter that government intervention is unnecessary because recycling computer circuit boards, metals and wiring already is profitable.

"Recyclers are jumping over themselves to get this material," said Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian, R-Stockton. "Why hurt consumers for something that's already happening?"

David Wolfe of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association agreed.

"Why are we increasing government when private industry has done the job?" Wolfe asked. "It doesn't make sense to me."

[SmithL]

Any excuse for a new tax.

[Brilliant]

Couldn’t happen to a better state.

[xjcsa]

Now the target is the computer's innards -- its central processing unit, or "tower," that interprets instructions and handles data.

Idiots.

[rightwingextremist1776]

Yep, has NOTHING to do with the environment...EVERYTHING to do about $$$$$$$$. What a scam, the new world snake oil sales.

[goldstategop]

The Democrats haven't dreamed up all the environmmental possibilities to tax... yet. Mind you, this tax won't reduce "global warming." But they'll push for it just the same - simply because they can.

Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[KarlInOhio]

After I am done with the computer I paid the recycling fee on, the state will come pick it up and recycle it for me? Right? Or will they just forget the money they've already taken and charge another tax when I want to get rid of it?

[Old Professer]

The difference between fees and taxes is not as clear cut as the difference between fleas and axes.

[LasVegasMac]

its central processing unit, or "tower,"

Yep, can't wait to use that one at work tomorrow.

[SteamShovel]

personal computers, which are classified as hazardous waste....."It's illegal to throw them away, but you can't conveniently recycle them,"

Aren't the only "hazardous" materials in the CRT display and the batteries? I suppose the newer displays might have hazardous material too, but it seems ridiculous to call the entire computer HAZMAT....unless you want an excuse to increase the disposal tax.

[vbmoneyspender]

LOL - It’s a good thing journalism is a profession because otherwise most journalists would only be entitled to the payscale of an incompetent rather than the higher salary afforded to professional incompetents.

[ol painless]

Proper monitor disposal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxNj8fiN8-U

[Wiseghy]

In CA if you buy an IPOD or DVD player, even with a 2.5 inch screen, you will pay the “disposal” fee. At christmas, I paid $18 for a number of items on one receipt.

Then, when you actually dispose of a monitor, you usually pay again.

BTW, it is illegal to dispose of ANY electronic item or even AA batteries in either the regular trash or recycling bins in CA. You must locate a registered disposal center for all such items and, surprise, pay another fee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anti-Bubba182]

"Any excuse for a new tax."

That is the real reason.

[JoanneSD]

This on the heels of another fee, the immigrants according to my assmebly person Mary Salas, are being ripped off at the water machines. because many of them come from 3rd world countries and must drink bottled water..she says, they cannot read that most machines are hooked up to public water supplies, are not as safe as tap water..I dont remember what the $8.50 cent fee will be for. but the businesses who want a water machine will have to pay it in addition to any other fees they pay..The democrats always solve a problem with gouging the public..for more money..

[aimhigh]

Just another reason to build your own.

[elkfersupper]

I always make a habit of reducing mine to little bits of rubble through gunfire.

What about my 2nd-amendment rights?

[lepton]

Idiots.

Yep. Pop the little ZIM out, and you've still got a whole tower.

[festus]

ealth dangers posed by toxic waste. Lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals in many electronics products have been linked to cancer, kidney and other health problems.

If they are that deadly why don't we just drop our old monitors on the jihadis ?

[stompk]

My County has Bi-Yearly (FREE) disposal days. they even have a separate line for Computer Monitors and such.

So can I waive MY fee ?

[Bernard]

So if you just toss a proscribed item in the normal garbage, does that make it an undocumented disposal and thus immune from all rules?

Actually, after you "safe" the vacuum tube on the monitor and remove the batteries, there aren't a lot of dangerous parts. The next generation of computers should include slide in components, so you don't have to throw away the shell just to upgrade the innards. The reason that doesn't happen now is probably the cost of labor.