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Texas Makes Green Computing Mandatory
athloi writes to mention that Texas legislators have passed a bill that would require computer companies to provide free recycling services to their customers for hardware purchased. "The bill (HB 2714) requires computer manufacturers to provide a "reasonably convenient" recycling plan that requires no additional payments from consumers. Dell and HP provided some model legislation that was used as the basis for the bill, which will only affect computers purchased for personal or home business use, but it could still encourage manufacturers to adopt efficient recycling programs that might then be applied to all machines sold."
No, this is just more unconstitutional eco-fascism.
Are smaller system builders considered "manufacturers"? That would explain why the bill got so much support from HP and Dell; it raises the cost of doing business.
Dell's recycling option is offered for free. They give you mailing labels to send your old computer and monitor via DHL or something.
I don't know how much it actually costs Dell (obviously more than they charge), but so far Dell still has very low prices.
I can see why Dell would help force this on the competition... But in the end it's probably net positive for everybody.
You see, PC recycling is a profitable business, once you get away from CRTs. I've found at least three places in West Michigan that will pay me cash for old computer hardware.
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That would definately increase the drive to recycle components, but it would also encourage cheap recycling, in several senses. If they get free money for claiming to recycle components, what incentive would they have to do a good job of actually putting those materials back into circulation. Sure you can put the burden on law enforcement to punish lazy recyclers, but then the recyclers will only do enough to keep themselves out of court. In order to really effect a change, you need to make the act of recycling profitable in itself, not offer reimbursement for it. Otherwise the only motive will be greed, not opportunity.
... crunched up computer electronics contains a lot more precious metals than the ore that originated the metals... they should be paying the individuals disposing the stuff....
It's easy for Germany to have a feel good law about their own domestic manufacturing, because the bulk of that nation's income is from exports. How about we start sending all of our trash from German made exports to the USA back to Germany?
This is my sig.
Coincidentally, AMD and Intel also have a huge presence here in Austin, the capital city of Texas, and I guess they could've/should've opposed this on the grounds that stifling competition is bad for the industry, but there is no chance they would've for two reasons: fear of pissing off Dell and HP, and fear of looking like they're anti-environment.
How is forcing everyone in the state to pay a little bit more for a product automatically favoring HP or Dell? I don't see why AMD or Intel should complain at all. Unless you want to say that they should complain because they might both be made to think about how to make their products more recyclable? If it's a government rule put out on everyone, then no one has an advantage except those that don't follow the rules. Are you saying small businesses shouldn't have to recycle or pay a recycling tax because they are small businesses?