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Austin American-Statesman, May 11, 2010 By Asher Price

Texas ranks last in recycling old computers, environmental group says

Texas ranks last in recycling computer parts among states that require manufacturers to take back their electronics, according to a report by an Austin environmental group that tries to keep computers and other electronics from landfills.

The report, by Texas Campaign for the Environment, compared recycling on a per capita basis in Texas with other states that have "computer takeback programs." Under the Texas takeback law, computer manufacturers doing business in Texas must provide individuals and home businesses with free recycling options for used desktops, laptops and monitors.

Computers contain components with lead, mercury and other harmful materials. Environmentalists say burying computers in landfills or burning them in incinerators is unsafe.

At least 19 other states, plus New York City, have passed similar laws.

Texas has a lower per capita collection rate than Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Maine, Rhode Island and Virginia, states that have at least one year of a takeback program on the books.

"We want the program to be effective, not just on paper," said Robin Schneider, executive director of Texas Campaign for the Environment.

In 2009, computer manufacturers in Texas recovered a total of 15.2 million pounds of used electronics for recycling and reuse, or about 0.62 pounds per capita, according to the report. Minnesota, by contrast, had an estimated collection rate of 2.78 pounds of computers per capita in the first year of its takeback law. Manufacturers in Minnesota face a fine if they fail to collect a percentage of the pounds they sold, according to Schneider.

The bright spot in Texas might be Dell Inc., which is responsible for about 85 percent of the computer recycling in Texas and provides convenient spots for consumers to drop off their computers, according to the report.

"By any measure, the first year of the Texas TakeBack program would have proven a complete failure without the disproportionate share of the recovery and recycling load borne by Dell Computers," according to the report.

Dell partnered with Goodwill and Staples to provide drop-off points for all computers. Other manufacturers allow consumers to download a prepaid shipping label from their websites to mail back old computers.

The report recommends prohibiting disposal of used electronics in landfills, among other things. Ten states have passed such bans.

asherprice@statesman.com; 445-3643