Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate on Thurs. would i...

would give consumers and industry tax incentives to recycle used electronic products. “Harmful e-waste is a large and growing problem,” the senators said, saying experts estimate that more than 150 million tons of electronic equipment were disposed of in 2004 alone. Referring to e- waste programs being developed in some states, they said no such program existed on a national level: “A unified national program may ultimately be desirable for consumers because manufacturers and retailers frequently have a difficult time adhering to different standards under various state laws.” Under the current system, they said, states that don’t enact their own laws could become “dumping grounds” for those that don’t ban e-waste disposal. The bill would: (1) Establish an $8-per-unit tax credit for companies that recycle at least 5,000 display screens or computer system units per year. (2) Provide a $15 tax credit for consumers who recycle their old computers and TVs, provided they use specified recyclers. (3) Ban landfill disposal of any electronic equipment containing a display screen larger than 4” or any computer unit. The ban would take effect 3 years after passage of the bill. This provision is contingent on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding that a majority of households have “reasonable access” to e- waste recycling. (4) Modify the EPA’s Universal Service Rule to classify display screens and system units as “universal waste” to allow for easier collection, transportation and recycling. (5) Require federal executive agencies to ensure that every display screen or system unit procured by the govt. is recovered and recycled. (6) Direct the EPA administrator to study and make recommendations to Congress within a year on the feasibility of establishing a nationwide recycling program that would preempt any state plan. The bill is expected to be referred to the Senate Finance Committee, an aide said. A measure pending in the House (HR-425) would require companies to assess a fee of up to $10 on new computers to fund an EPA-administered recycling grant program to encourage municipalities and private organizations to start e-waste programs. Companies that have their own recycling programs would be exempt from the fee.