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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 />.~../.1;~" <br />~~J"" iii1C'1t <br />e" <br />~~ <br />A....."'n~'.....rf("'n""rn <br /> <br />A Growing Problem: Discarded 1Vs 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 Nor <br />computer monitor, the cost to Minnesota taxpayers could be $3,000,000 per <br />yearor 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 problem <br />remains unsolved. <br />. Some manufacturers have initiated voluntary programs, but so far, not enough <br />has been done. It remains difficult for citizens to find out how to recycle of Ns <br />and computers, with inconvenient locations, 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&computers. <br />Also consider: <br />. Contacting manufactl,lfers to lE:'t them know about your conperns. <br />. Asking your local retailer to support manufacturer responsibility for recycling old <br />Ns 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\Ns&comouters <br /> <br />PRODUCED BY THE SOLlO WASTE MANAGEMENT COORDINATING BOARD 11/03 <br />