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<br />Convenient and <br />affordable options <br />are needed <br />for citizens to <br />recycle discarded <br />electronics. <br />Getting Industry <br />to Help <br /> <br />What can <br />I do about <br />this problem? <br /> <br />h '/C'l!lif <br />~"'-1'_/~" <br />$J~"'" <br />~- <br />n""''''nAI,~t'rli''n "n<n <br /> <br />A Growing Problem: Discarded TVs and Computers <br /> <br />Who is responsible for addressing this growing problem? <br />Government alone cannot be responsible for the growing volume of discarded <br />electronics and associated costs. <br />. At an average cost of $10 - $15 per unit to disassemble and recycle a TV or <br />computer monitor, the cost to Minnesota taxpayers could be $3,000,000 per <br />yeareor more. <br /> <br />Metropolitan counties are joining efforts to get manufacturers to participate in <br />solving this problem. <br />. It's called "product stewardship" - asking manufacturers to share responsibility <br />for products they sell when those products reach the end of their useful lives. <br />. Product stewardship efforts relating to electronics are in place in Europe, Japan <br />and Canada, but progress in the United States has been slow, and the probiem <br />remains unsolved. <br />. Some manufacturers have initiated voiuntary programs, but so far, not enough <br />has been done. It remains difficult for citizens to find out how to recycle of TVs <br />and computers, with inconvenient iocations, few hours of operation, and fees for <br />recycling. <br /> <br />Become informed. Go to the SWMCB web site to learn more: <br />www.swmcb\TVs&comouters. <br />Also consider: <br />. Contacting manufacturer;> to let them know about your conC7erns. <br />. Asking your locaf retailer to support manufacturer responsibility for recycling old <br />TV;; and computers. <br />. Supporting legislative efforts to get manufacturers to help solve the problem. <br />Information and suggestions about these actions can also be found at <br />www.swmcb\TVs&comouters <br /> <br />PRODUCED BY THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COORDINATING BOARD 11/03 <br />