Contact: Pamela McCurdy, 651-757-2559
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is pleased to announce that nearly 28.4 million pounds, or 86 percent of the weight of the electronic devices managed under the Minnesota Electronics Recycling Act from July 2010 to June 2011 were processed by recyclers certified for their environmentally sound management practices.
The independent third-party certifications, R2 and eStewards, recognize recyclers who manage waste electronics responsibly. Best practices for recyclers include properly managing substances such as a lead and mercury, and ensuring proper recycling of material that will be shipped overseas, which has been a significant concern over the past decade.
The Minnesota Electronics Recycling Act was implemented in 2007 to create expanded opportunities for the collection and recycling of waste electronics from Minnesota households. The program, which engages manufacturers of electronic devices in the recycling, is ranked as a top collector in the nation.
From July 2010 to June 2011, 33 million pounds of electronic waste from Minnesota residents were recycled, resulting in a collection rate of 6.2 pounds per capita statewide.
MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine said, “Third-party certification is an important element of the product stewardship program and indicates the recognition of high performance standards for the electronics recycling industry.”
For information on electronic waste collection locations in Minnesota, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/bkzq753.
For more information about the program, contact Garth Hickle at 651-757-2434 or garth.hickle@state.mn.us
