Shared responsibility for managing electronic waste: A case study of Maine,USA |
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| Authors: | Travis P Wagner |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Pakistan;2. Department of Meteorology, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan;3. UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Ecological Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany;4. Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg Leipziger, Strasse 29, 09596 Freiberg, Germany;5. Chemical Division, Ministry of Climate Change Islamabad, Pakistan;6. Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Austria;7. Bioenergy and Environmental Remediation Laboratory, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, South Korea;1. School of Engineering & Technology, BML Munjal University, 67 KM STONE, NH-8, Kapariwas, 123106, Haryana, India;2. BITS-Pilani, Pilani, 333031, Rajasthan, India;1. School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China;2. Key Laboratory for Solid Waste Management and Environment Safety (Tsinghua University), Ministry of Education of China, Beijing 100084, China;1. Mechanical Engineering Department, BITS, Vidya Vihar, Pilani 333031 Rajasthan, India;2. BITS Pilani-Dubai, Dubai International Academic City, P.O. Box No. 345055 Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
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| Abstract: | Based on high disposal and low recycling rates of electronic waste (e-waste) and continued exportation to developing countries, reliance on municipal responsibility for e-waste management has been unsuccessful in the United States. This case study examines Maine’s program, which was the first US state to mandate producer responsibility for recycling household e-waste. Maine’s program established a shared cost responsibility among producers, municipalities, and consumers. The study found that Maine’s program resulted in a significant reduction in disposal and a corresponding increase in environmentally sound recycling. In the first 3 years of the program, 6.406 million kg of household e-waste was collected and recycled for a population of 1.32 million. The new program, implemented in 2006, increased the number of e-waste items collected and recycled by 108% in the first year, 170% in the second year, and 221% in the third year. The program decreased direct economic costs to municipalities and households because of the shared cost approach and for the first time established costs for producers. There was no empirical evidence indicating that producers have or will improve the recyclability of electronic products to reduce recycling costs. While other weaknesses were that found potentially limit the adoption of Maine’s program, its positive aspects warrant consideration by other governments. |
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