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California Considering Recycling Fees on PCs
Jeff writes: "It looks like two US senators are introducing bills that would impose recycling fees on new computer systems sold. These bills look to cover every high-tech product a consumer might buy, including computer and video monitors, desktop and notebook PCs, and handheld gadgets."
If these bills pass, does this mean that we will have to pay a recycling fee when we buy the computer, and then pay a recycling company to do it, or will the recycling itself actually be free now?
Guns are like umbrellas and condoms. Better to have one and not need it, than need it and not have one.
They could get a safety deposit on every part sold, thus inciting peoples to dispose of their computers in a proper way. Just like they do for consigned containers here. You pay an ammount and you get it back when you bring your computer to a proper recycling facilitie. They could have this money prosper during your years of usage and thus fund recycling companies without charging an extra tax.
Colosse.
This is absolutely correct.
What they should do is charge a deposit on electronic equipment, and pay you to return it to the recycling cengter.
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Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
Obviously this doesn't work if the hardware is broken, but if it's just "old", donate it to local schools! There are still plenty of public schools with drastically underfunded computer budgets, and they could definitely use whatever they can get. Hey, if you were feeling extra generous, you could even pre-install linux for them!
Over here we already have to pay an indirect removal fee for a computer. .CA bill), the producer/importer of computer equipment pays these fees, as he is charged for the number of systems sold.
Unlike other electronic equipment, where the price is a set fee which you are charged in the shop on top of your purchase (think in the area between 5 and 40 euro, a lot like the amount proposed in the
This also encourages the producer of the systems to try to keep the recycling costs low.
While it may hurt a little bit in the wallet it can not be denied that the systems do have an environmental impact when they are disposed of.
It does not really leave much room for geeks like me who still have their first computers 'somewhere around', but I have no objections to a system like we have it here.
Well, well, well... "Europe" is it? A big place to be that generic about! :)
I was reading in my newspaper last week that the UK, and Scotland in particular are the worst for recycling in the world... I'd try and find a reference, but i've binned the paper (landfill I bet). Even worse than the US, which really amazed me.
We're (i'm Scottish) are actually going backward - when I was 'wee' you could get a deposit back on glass bottles. The recycle facilities at the local supermarket were actually REMOVED last year (and Edinburgh tries to say it's 'Cosmopolitan'!). The year before that the council were saving money by just landfilling the 'to-be-recycled' items...
It's a wonderful place!
Although I don't know for sure I've heard that in some places in Europe a company is responsible for paying for the recycling of the packaging from their products (i.e. McDonalds held responsible for the piles of styrofoam boxes and cups on the sides of the highway).
I stole this Sig
Heck, how many people here NEVER get rid of a computer? Okay, well, maybe not never, but not for a very long time! Even the computers I got through get passed on to my family. I still have my old 386 in a closet here somewhere. No, I'll probably end up using the mother board as art for my wall, but it hasn't been tossed in the trash yet.
Sooo... why would I be paying a recycling tax? Oh yeah! It's so the government can take my money about 5-10 years before they actually use it! This is worse than the notion of social security in the US!!
I mean the government bitches if you owe money to them in taxes. And if you don't have taxes deducted from your checks, they get really pissed if you don't file taxes quarterly. Whine whine whine that they don't have their money immediately. And yet, they expect me to give them my money for use in 5-10 years! Screw that! Bastards!
Yes, I live in California. This is BS! The I'm all for recycling (although I don't do it ALL the time), but the friggen recycle hippies have gone TOO far. This sounds a lot more like political abuse and ignorance to me.
-Alex
FYI, Californians are considerably more liberal with our garbage. It is just unfortunate that we probably consume the largest amount of consumer goods, thus producing more than our lion's share of waste goods. In other parts of country, I've found excellent state-wide recycling system in place. I do notice a difference among large metropolitan areas within each state too... For instance, I recycled easily in North County of San Diego but couldn't find any comparable facilities locally in Los Angeles. I guess it might depend on where you live... Consider the attitude differences all over the nation as well.
Attitude Differences:
* I ask a Californian host whether if they recycle cans and get mute blank stares in response. The same standard goes for District of Columbia.
* I ask a host from the Washington or North Carolina state whether if they recycle and they delightfully show me the bin. To many living in the Washington state, it is almost like recycling reflects favorably on the person. Furthermore, they LIKED to recycle. It is perhaps the third thing I immediately think of whenever Washington is mentioned: coffee cafes practically on every corner, extremely liberal-minded people and recycling being a commonplace --- in that order.
Computers parts of current design ARE difficult to make use of again but I wonder if sufficient public pressure would lead to more enviornment friendly computers or is it simply not technically possible?
I question the moaning of everyone about expensive procedures to recycle materials. Either we pay the price or our children will. Isn't it possible that they have plently to pay for already, no?