Wisconsin signs electronics-take-back law

In late October, Wisconsin became the 20th state to sign a statewide recycling law that should affect the electronics supply chain. The comprehensive product-take-back legislation requires manufacturers of covered electronic devices sold in Wisconsin to register and recycle eligible devices. The law includes both performance standards based on the covered electronic devices and variable penalties for manufacturers that fail to meet those standards. As in many other states with product-take-back laws, the legislation sets collection goals based on each manufacturer’s market share. The bill lists DVD players, VCRs (videocassette recorders), some telephones, cameras, PCs, printers, and TVs. The legislation will force electronics manufacturers to begin registering information on covered electronics in February 2010. For more on the legislation, click here.