Electronic Recycling Law Improves Economy and Environment

Yesterday, Governor Quinn signed a new electronic waste recycling law that may double Illinois’ annual recycling goal.

Since the first manufacturer responsibility law took effect in 2010, recycling jobs in Illinois have tripled while the cost to consumers and local governments has dropped.  In Will County alone, the County’s cost to provide drop-off’s to residents has dropped $100,000 from its record high while the number of permanent sites has increased and we have added FREE front-door service.

This new law expands the list of items banned from landfills on Jan 1, 2012 from Computers, Monitors, Printers and TVs to all electronic keyboards, fax machines, video/DVD recorders, CD and MP3 players, video/DVD players, video game consoles players, small scale servers, scanners, electronic mice, digital converter boxes, cable receivers and satellite receivers. This will increase jobs in the electronic recycling industry, decrease the materials sent to landfills and increase recovery of metals, plastic and other resources. 

According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household. No longer must these be placed in the garbage or held onto for special annual collections. Illinois is now poised to have one of the highest electronic recycling goals in the country and easily accessible means to achieve the goals!

Homer Glen and Homer Township are opening Will County’s 13th permanent electronic drop-off next week. Our Front-Door Electronic Collection Service is about to expand to our southern border. For information on any of our electronic recycling services (front-door arrangements, site locations, hours of operation or list of items accepted) visit our electronics page at www.willcountygreen.com