New program makes recycling electronics easy, free

By David Holley

The Beaverton Valley Times, Dec 24, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

A new state-run program that lets people recycle their old, broken or unwanted computers, monitors or televisions free of charge is opening shop Jan. 1.

Called Oregon E-Cycles, the program allows people to bring in up to seven computers, monitors or televisions — called “e-waste” — to various designated depositories throughout the state. Most of the collecting sites will be pre-existing companies that already recycle or reuse old or unwanted electronics.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which runs the program, expects to have six collection sites in Beaverton. The list of locations has not been finalized.

Because toxins, such as lead, in many computers, televisions and monitors make them difficult to recycle, most companies charge a fee. This new program waives that fee for people trying to recycle these electronics, which DEQ officials hope will encourage more people to recycle.

“This is really going to increase the opportunity for the public, for Oregonians,” said Kathy Kiwala, manager of the Oregon Electronics Recycling Program. “They’re going to know that their old electronics are getting recycled in a sound manner.”

E-Cycles is funded though fees that the state will charge to electronics manufacturers who want to sell their products in Oregon.

One fee, which pays for the administrative costs of E-Cycles, is charged based on the manufacturer’s place in the market share. If a manufacturer takes up more than 1 percent, the fee is $15,000; or if they take up less than .01 percent, it is $40.

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