Legislation

A bill overhauling New Jersey's e-scrap law is headed to Gov. Chris Christie, but the recycling industry isn't sure whether he'll sign it.

"There is really no way of knowing which way the governor will go," said Marie Kruzan, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR), one of the bill's supporters. "We all knew probably the hardest thing is getting it through the governor."

Problems with Pennsylvania's e-scrap program continue to grab headlines as local programs restrict or halt collections.

Romania remains well short of a 2021 European Union target for e-scrap collections, and Sims Metals Management brought profitability to its global e-scrap recycling business in fiscal year 2015. If all electronics generated in Europe's waste stream were recycled, the industry could realize nearly $2.3 billion in revenue, according to an article at

Last week's Electronics Recycling Asia Conference in Singapore touched on the circular economy, industry certifications and the diverse systems in place to recover e-scrap in Southeast Asia. Running from the Nov. 10-13, the conference drew 138 attendees and attracted 18 exhibiting companies.

In a resounding victory for electronics reuse advocates in the U.S., the Librarian of Congress has granted individuals and companies alike the right to unlock used phones and tablets for the next three years.

The ruling eliminates a key obstacle for companies attempting to re-market used devices and concludes more than a year of uncertainty surrounding the future legality of unlocking in the U.S.

A bill that had the potential to do away with North Carolina's e-scrap program was revised before passing.

House Bill 765, which now awaits the signature of Gov. Pat McCrory, gained the approval of North Carolina legislators in the House on Sept. 29.

One morning not too long ago, I began previewing my schedule for the day ahead and remembered that I had an appointment for a root canal. I actually felt a sense of relief that for a few hours I would have a break from the challenges facing our industry. Yes, the size of electronic devices is shrinking rapidly, but per-capita e-scrap generation rates continue to rise. The number of players exiting the business has been far exceeding the number entering.

An industry group has criticized a recently signed bill modifying the e-scrap law in Illinois, saying the state failed to account for existing recycling outlets for CRT glass.

In a letter sent to the Illinois EPA on July 20, a group consisting of 13 electronics recycling companies, including some of the industry's most prominent, argues House Bill 1455 assumes "CRT glass is not recyclable."

A bill that's passed through North Carolina's Senate would repeal the state's electronics recycling program.

House Bill 765, which passed North Carolina's Senate by a vote of 31-17 last week and aims to cut a number of regulatory provisions beyond those dealing with e-scrap, now sits in the House Committee for the Environment. The 23-member committee is expected to meet July 21 to discuss the legislation and hear public comment.

Legislation in play in New Jersey would provoke an overhaul of the state's e-scrap program and offer an easing of state requirements for mobile hard drive shredding. Senate Bill 2973 would likely increase original equipment manufacturer recycling targets, and SB 2978 would allow mobile hard drive shredders to operate without a state permit.