Statewide Electronic Recycling Program in time for Earth Day 2008

Today is the 38th annual Earth Day since U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment. The Green movement has exploded in this decade both with the help of grass roots movements and state-sponsored action. I'm thrilled to announce that I was able to pass legislation in the Senate this week to establish a statewide electronic recycling program to be administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Senate Bill 2313 includes several measures that will provide an opportunity for Illinois consumers and businesses to go green. The legislation creates statewide goals for recycling and reuse of electronic devices. The legislation also bans the disposal of electronic devices covered by the Act in landfills or by burning beginning in the year 2012.

Many electronic products contain materials that pose environmental and health risks, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and others. The harm is that many computers, printers, and cell phones have toxic components, and when you put those toxic components into landfills they leach into the land and air.

Senate Bill 2313 now moves to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration. I will keep you posted on its status.