Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Barbara Skoglund, 651-296-5965 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Saint Paul, Minn. - Minnesota's electronics recycling law takes effect this summer, affecting manufacturers, retailers, collectors and recyclers of video display devices (VDDs) sold to Minnesota households. Regulated VDDs include televisions, laptop computers and computer monitors with displays larger than nine inches, measured diagonally. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will host a meeting to discuss the new law on July 9, 2007 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel near the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport at 3800 American Blvd. E., in Bloomington. Following a question and answer session, electronics manufacturers will be able to connect with Minnesota retailers, collectors, recyclers and local units of government. The rapidly growing number of computers, televisions and other electronic items becoming obsolete means that a substantial quantity of hazardous and toxic materials may enter our waste stream. Electronic products contain lead, cadmium, mercury and other potentially toxic heavy metals. When dumped in a landfill, these metals can potentially leach into soil and groundwater. They contaminate the air when incinerated. Electronics recycling helps to protect the environment and human health. Under the new law, manufacturers of video display devices sold to Minnesota households must recycle 60 percent the first year and 80 percent of the total weight of VDDs sold in subsequent years of the program. Collectors and recyclers of VDDs must register with the MPCA by Aug. 1, 2007, and manufacturers must register by Sept. 1, 2007. Effective Feb. 1, 2008, Minnesota retailers can no longer sell VDDs made by unregistered manufacturers. More information about this new program is available at www.pca.state.mn.us/electronics/ . Manufacturers, retailers, collectors, recyclers and other interested parties are encouraged to sign up for e-mail updates online.