California e-waste bill advances. (Electronics Recycling).

Legislation that would require the recycling of toxic electronic waste has passed the California Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senator Byron Sher (D-Stanford), would require manufacturers of toxic electronics sold in California to develop and finance a free and convenient system for recycling their end-of-life electronics.

The bill also would prohibit manufacturers or their agents from exporting electronic waste to foreign nations without first demonstrating that all hazardous devices would be handled in a manner comparable to public health and environment laws and regulations within California.

Hazardous electronics are those devices containing toxic levels of lead, mercury, cadmium or other hazardous materials as determined by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), a department within the California EPA.

SB 20 would require manufacturers wishing to sell electronic products containing toxic materials in California to develop a plan for the collection, handling, transportation, processing, recovery, reuse and recycling of their electronics that is approved by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). Manufacturers could choose to opt out of the system, paying a fee equal to the real cost of collecting and recycling each device sold.

Fees and fines collected under the program would be used to further enhance the e-waste recycling efforts through financial incentives and public education.