In the News

ABC7, February 20, 2007

Perhaps you are among those who have recently upgraded to a new flat screen television or new cell phone or computer with the latest software. The problem is -- what happens to the old stuff? Each year there is more and more electronic trash and only about 13 percent of it gets recycled. One proposed bill in Illinois would help fight the growing problem.

The technology just keeps changing: faster computers, plasma TVs and cell phones that can do just about anything. But as we buy these new devices what do we do with your outdated electronics.

"The consumers have many of these types of devices and equipment in their garages and want to get rid of them and feel uncomfortable taking them to landfills," said Senator Susan Garrett.

That's why Senator Susan Garrett is sponsoring a bill that would keep a lot of these components out of landfills.

"We need to do everything we can to prevent toxins from entering our air, our water. This bill will do that," said Garrett.

The senator hopes the bill comes up for a vote this session.

Many of outdated devices contain cancer-causing agents, said Max Muller, Environment Illinois. By recycling, these chemicals would stay out of the environment.

If the bill becomes law, it would be the manufacturers, not the taxpayers, who would foot the bill.

"There is a registration fee that would be paid annually by all manufacturers to cover devices in the state. And the second fee is based on the amount of recycling," said Joe Shachter, Environmental Law and Policy Center.

Some companies are already resisting this new legislation. Meanwhile ABT Electronics in Glenview is building its own recycling center.

"We want to stay as green as possible. And the future -- we need to look out for the environment. And that what we will do," said Geoff Imhof, ABT Electronics.

The facility should be completed and operational by late spring or early summer.