E-Waste Back on Legislative Agenda

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) State Senator Scott McCoy is renewing his effort to keep old computers, monitors and other electronics out of Utah's landfills. Chemicals from those items can contaminate soil and groundwater. McCoy wants to make electronics manufacturers responsible for recycling or safely disposing of the waste:

"If manufacturers know they'll be responsible for recycling and disposing of their products, it will encourage them to make products that are easily recyclable and don't contain as many dangerous metals and chemicals," says McCoy.

Last year McCoy tried to get a moratorium on putting electronic waste in Utah landfills. Lawmakers refused to pass the bill. Some states have opted to charge consumers a disposal fee when they buy electronics. McCoy believes the Utah Legislature will be more supportive of holding manufacturers accountable for the dangerous waste their products create.

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