OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington's electronics recycling program has collected more than 38 million pounds of TVs, computers and monitors in its first year.
State Ecology Director Ted Sturdevant calls the E-Cycle Washington program "even more successful than we had hoped" and notes the total doesn't include the thousands of still-working electronics units donated to charities.
Recycling the products keeps toxic metals such as lead and mercury out of landfills and the environment.
The state program is paid for by the products' manufacturers and regulated by the Ecology Department. Free recycling of the items is provided for households, schools, small businesses and charities at authorized collection sites.
Oregon's similar program collected 18.9 million pounds of unwanted electronics in its first full year of operation.
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On The Net: www.ecyclewashington.org
