(Chicago, IL) — August 10, 2011. Move over bottles and cans, recycling in Illinois has gone high-tech. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that expands the types of electronic products, like iPods, that must be recycled and toughens penalties for those who ignore the mandate.
It’s the iJunk law.
“This law will keep reusable materials from filling our landfills, and it will help us put people to work giving those materials new uses,” said Quinn.
The legislation, Senate Bill 2106, sponsored by State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and State Rep. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), expands the types of electronic products—iJunk–that will be subject to the state’s landfill ban.
Currently, computer monitors, televisions, and printers must be diverted from landfills. Now, keyboards, iPods and other portable music devices, scanners, videocassette recorders, video game consoles, and more are now added to the list.
“This bill not only prevents toxic substances from entering into the ground,” said Biss. “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.”
The new law also increases recycling goals for Illinois manufacturers. Statewide e-recycling will increase from 28 million pounds in 2011 to over 50 million pounds in 2012.
The dramatic increase in the recycling of iJunk is expected to create jobs for Illinois residents, says an environmental activist.
“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 fine for violations increases from $1,000 to $7,000.
The new law takes effect immediately.
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