GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) -- The first year of recycling electronic waste in Oregon brought in more than anyone expected -- about 5 pounds per person for a total of 18.9 million pounds.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality E-Cycles program manager Kathy Kiwala said Thursday Oregonians have always been good recyclers, often leading the nation, but this was way beyond expectations of 3.3 pounds per person, or a total of about 12 million pounds.
Kiwala says more than half the waste was TVs, apparently due to the switch from analog to digital broadcasting.
She says this year should bring in 21 million pounds, now that a $500 fine is in effect for each component of E-waste that is tossed in the garbage rather than recycled.
