Local Solid Waste Haulers Help Consumers Recycle Unwanted Electronic Waste

NSWMA-IL Chapter Helps Municipalities Engage Resident Participation in Electronic Products Recycling & Reuse Act

Chicago, IL - The National Solid Wastes Management Association – Illinois Chapter (NSWMA-IL), the trade association representing premiere waste haulers in Illinois, is working with area municipalities throughout the Chicagoland area spearheading an effort to help consumers responsibly dispose of unwanted electronics in accordance with the IL Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act that went into effect in January of this year. The law establishes a statewide system for recycling and/or reusing discarded electronic items, or “e-waste,” from residences by requiring electronic manufacturers to participate in the management of discarded and unwanted electronic products.

The following items are considered e-waste under the law:

• Computers/Computer Monitors
• Video game consoles
• Electronic mice/keyboards
• Printers/Scanners/Fax machines
• Televisions/ Cable and Satellite receivers
• Digital converter boxes
• Videocassette recorders
• Digital video disc recorders/players
• Portable digital music players
• Small scale servers

A downloadable fact sheet on the Illinois E-Waste law is available through the NSWMA-IL website. Residents may call their hauler for more information about collection of their individual electronic items. A full list of ewaste recycling drop-off locations is available at the Illinois EPA website. For more information about this or other issues, Illinois consumers can contact Peggy Macenas at peggym@nswma.org.

"Under the 2012 law, mixing e-waste with other waste intended for disposal at a landfill is prohibited," said Bob Pfister, Chair of the NSWMA-IL. "NSWMA member companies have been working with municipalities throughout the Chicagoland area to schedule special city-wide e-waste pick-up and/or drop-off days for residents. This is a program all our area industry haulers are proud to be stewarding within our respective communities.

"Our members do so much more than just collect trash. Our waste industry professionals provide essential services that help maintain the fabric of local communities across Illinois – protecting the environment and public health by efficiently and reliably removing and managing our trash," said Pfister. "Our recycling programs offer an
opportunity to create a greener community by helping to divert waste from landfills and aid in the creation of new products without using raw materials."