By Bobby Elliott, E-Scrap News
Jan. 3, 2013
The administration of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is leading a charge to encourage residents to follow the state’s e-scrap law and recycle used electronics.
Anticipating a surge of electronics replaced by newer devices this holiday season, the Christie administration is attempting to help spread the word about the importance of recycling e-scrap and the state’s significant steps toward accommodating the process.
“These electronic devices can no longer be placed at the curb for trash pickup,” state environmental official Bob Martin told NJ.com. “They can be taken to specially designated e-waste recycling drop-off points conveniently located in our cities and towns or to retailers that accept these materials.”
Under the state’s e-scrap law, which went into effect as Christie assumed the governorship in 2010, residents are required to recycle many of their used electronics free of charge by dropping them off at retailers, such as Best Buy, UPS and Target, or municipal collection sites. Most electronic items, including televisions, computers and tablets, are covered under the state program. Residents are only encouraged – not required – to recycle some other products, such as cell phones, DVDs, VCRs, video game consoles.
Electronics manufacturers are tasked with funding the recycling program and thus far, state officials say, the program has been a major success. But with e-scrap volumes continuing to climb and the holiday season just wrapping up, state officials are trying to ensure that the program continues to be a success through its public awareness campaigns and website, which provides a full list of drop-off locations throughout the state. Hundreds of locations have been added since the program began in 2010.