AUGUSTA, Maine—A report says Maine's 2-year-old law to promote recycling of used computers, televisions and other electronic waste has kept a million pounds of lead out of the environment.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine says the first-in-the-nation program requiring manufacturers to set up and pay for collection and recycling centers has ensured safe recycling of over 8 million pounds of toxic electronic waste, saving Mainers $3 million.
State Rep. Jon Hinck, a former council attorney who pushed for the law's passage, says that by acting early, "Maine avoided a tsunami of e-waste."
The council says Maine's e-waste law has been a model for laws in 11 states and New York City, which now have e-waste laws in place. Fifteen other states are considering bills.
