Scroll Top

Smith – Electronic Waste Management A Necessary Step For Garden State

Bob Smith News & Releases

TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee, issued the following statement today regarding a hearing his panel conducted on the possibility of establishing an electronic waste management program in New Jersey:

“Today’s hearing highlighted the massive problem New Jersey faces in terms of electronic waste. Every year, 2 million TVs and 400,000 computers become obsolete and enter our waste stream, where chemical components seep into our air, land and water.

“We need to do something to promote reuse and recycling of electronic components, and ensure the safe and environmentally conscious disposal of e-waste.

“While the e-waste management advocates currently have two opposing proposals – an advanced recovery fee to fund a State-based program, or requiring producer responsibility to recycle e-waste – I think everyone recognizes that we have to do something to address the problem. There are advantages and disadvantages to both proposals, and as we move forward, we will weigh the pros and cons of each.

“Ultimately, we can only benefit from the testimony we heard today from experts in the field of e-waste management, such as HP and Dell, which run exceptional producer responsibility programs, and Shirley Willd-Wagner, who oversees California’s e-waste recovery and recycling program.

“With the input from those who’ve lead the way in e-waste management, I’m confident that the final bill will be the best possible for the people of New Jersey.”

Related Posts

Smith Recycling Package Signed Into Law

TRENTON – A pair of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which will guarantee funding for municipal recycling programs and create a statewide electronics recycling initiative were signed into law by Governor Corzine over the weekend.

“Once upon a time, New Jersey was the national leader in promoting recycling efforts among its citizens,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “However, we’ve become far too lax in recent years, and have dropped to the bottom of the pack in terms of recycling success. With these laws in place, we’re poised to reclaim the crown, protect the quality of our natural environment, and preserve natural resources.”

17 Jan 2008
Smith Recycling Package Approved In Senate

TRENTON – A pair of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would guarantee funding for municipal recycling programs and create a statewide electronics recycling initiative were approved by the Senate today.

“New Jersey was once a national leader in our efforts to promote recycling, but have since fallen to the back of the pack,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “We need to do more to reenergize our State’s recycling profile, and ensure sustainable, effective programs to deal with new trends in recycled waste. These bills would put the Garden State back on the right track, and ensure a greener legacy to impart to future generations of State residents.”

07 Jan 2008
Smith Recycling Package Approved By Budget Committee

TRENTON – A pair of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would guarantee funding for municipal recycling programs and create a statewide electronics recycling initiative were approved by the Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“The greatest environmental legacy we can leave for future generations is an effective and functional Statewide recycling system,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “As the gears of economy continue to turn, single-use, disposable products are littering our landscape, and putting increased pressure on dwindling natural resources. There needs to be a culture-shift, and soon, so that we can put greater emphasis on recycling and slow down the consumption of precious – and finite – natural resources.”

10 Dec 2007