Help Desk

In September 2003, the California Legislature passed the Electronics Waste Recovery Act (Act) (SB 20, Chapter 526, Statutes of 2003, Senator Sher). The law establishes an advanced recycling fee collected at the point of sale or lease. The funds will be used to provide financial relief to collectors and recyclers of “covered electronic wastes.” The law also requires manufacturers to notify retailers of their products, which are subject to the fee. This letter is to notify your company of this law and the products that are subject to the advanced recycling fee.

Covered electronic devices currently subject to the Act include all computer monitors and televisions that contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors and laptop computers. Please visit Department of Toxic Substances website at www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWaste for more information on covered devices. The fee ranges from $6.00 to $10.00 depending on the size of the screen. Retailers must collect the fee and remit it to the State of California

The law requires that the fee be imposed beginning January 1, 2005. You should monitor the California Integrated Waste Management Board’s website www.ciwmb.ca.gov/electronics/Act2003 for updates and further guidance.

The full text of the law can be found at: www.leginfo.ca.gov. Consumers who wish to locate a list of approved recyclers of covered electronic waste can link to the following website: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/electronics/act2003/recovery