 "This law will keep reusable materials from filling our landfills,
and it will help us put people to work giving those materials new
uses," the governor said Wednesday. "Today's action reinforces our
commitment to a green Illinois that continues to be a leader in
protecting the environment."
Senate Bill 2106, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake
Forest, and Rep. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, expands the types of
electronic products that will be subject to the state's landfill
ban. Current law requires computer monitors, televisions and
printers to be diverted from landfills. Under the new law, the list
of items required to be recycled is expanded to include keyboards,
portable music devices, scanners, videocassette recorders, video
game consoles and more.
"Gov. Quinn has made the recycling of e-waste a top environmental
priority for the state, which is why Illinois is a leader on
removing electronics from our waste stream," Garrett said.
"This bill not only prevents toxic substances from entering into
the ground, but it also encourages the continued rapid growth of the
e-recycling industry, supporting small businesses around the state
that have created thousands of new jobs in recent years," Biss said.
The new law also increases recycling goals for Illinois
manufacturers.
For example, in 2012 manufacturers will be required to recycle 40
percent of the products they sold in 2010. According to the
Environmental Law & Policy Center, the new goals mean that statewide
e-recycling will increase from 28 million pounds in 2011 to over 50
million pounds in 2012. The dramatic increase in recycling efforts
is expected to create jobs for Illinois residents.
"This legislation will keep toxins out of our air and water while
conserving valuable resources and creating jobs," said Melville
Nickerson, policy advocate for the Environmental Law & Policy
Center. "The Environmental Law & Policy Center looks forward to
working together with manufacturers to implement this recycling bill
and create a cleaner environment in Illinois."
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The fine for violations of the new law will increase $1,000 to
$7,000.
The legislation also gives the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency greater regulatory authority for violations of the act.
Additionally, the bill requires manufacturers to maintain consumer
education programs designed to inform customers of proper disposal
policies for electronic products.
The new law takes effect immediately.
Quinn also signed
House Bill 2001, sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, and
Sen. John Millner, R-Carol Stream, which strengthens penalties for
criminal disposal of waste. The law, which takes effect immediately,
reclassifies the initial and all subsequent violations as felonies,
lowers the violation threshold and increases fines to $25,000, up
from $5,000.
For more information, visit the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency website,
http://www.epa.state.il.us/.
[Text from
news release from the
Illinois Government News
Network]
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