Lawmakers in Harrisburg heard feedback on a bill that would improve and update Pennsylvania’s electronic waste infrastructure and provide counties with a statewide e-waste program to allow residents to dispose of their electronics in a “safe and sustainable manner.” State Rep. Lisa Borowski (D-Delaware) said her bill, House Bill 1607, aims to address the growing need for e-waste disposal, ease the financial impact on counties and local governments, and address the environmental concerns associated with e-waste. As a former township commissioner, Borowski said she’s personally grappled with the issue, telling the committee that the increased need for responsible e-waste disposal coupled with its high cost has “created a financial and environmental challenge across the state.”
The 49-page bill would give “residents access to convenient collection sites at no cost to themselves or their municipalities” according to Borowski. In its current form, participation from counties in the statewide program would not be required and residents would still be able to drop off electronics at a collection site of their choosing.
Faran Savitz, a zero waste advocate with PennEnvironment, testified in support of the bill, saying it would update and improve Pennsylvania’s existing e-waste recycling infrastructure, increase funding for e-waste recycling programs, and make it cheaper for Pennsylvanians to dispose of their electronic waste. Savitz told the committee that electronics and technological devices, such as TVs, headphones, laptops, chargers, and smartphones, are the fastest-growing part of the nation’s waste stream.