Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

RWM Home > Programs > E-Waste

E-Waste

Used electronic products are the most rapidly growing problem in our waste stream due to their quantity and toxicity. Electronic wastes, such as televisions, computers and computer components, contain toxic substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium, lithium, brominated flame retardants, phosphorous coatings, and PVC plastics that create dioxins Computer Monitors and CPUswhen burned. These toxic materials can be released upon disposal, posing a threat to human health and the environment.

Many electronic wastes are regulated as hazardous waste when generated by businesses. Televisions and computer monitors generated as waste by households must be managed in accordance with Maine's E-Waste Law, which establishes a system in which consumers, municipalities, and manufacturers share responsibility for ensuring that these items are properly recycled to reclaim all useable materials and prevent the release of toxics to the environment.

Forms

Manufacturer’s initial registration form (MS Word) (pdf format)- To comply with Maine’s Electronic Waste Law, manufacturers of desktop printers, video game consoles, and digital picture frames must complete and submit this form to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection by September 12, 2009. Manufacturers of portable computers, computer monitors, televisions, and/or portable DVD players that have not previously submitted a plan for compliance with the Maine DEP must complete and submit this form prior to selling their covered electronic products in Maine.

 

Electronic Waste Additional Information

Summary of Maine's Household Television and Computer Monitor Recycling Law

Maine’s Household E-Waste Recycling Law with 2009 changesThis version includes the changes made to the law in 2009.  Most changes made in 2009 are effective January 1, 2010. (MS-Word format) (pdf format)

Information for Manufacturers

Information for Municipalities

Information for Consolidators and Recyclers

Consolidators approved to participate in Maine's household TV and Computer Monitor Recycling Program for Calendar Year 2009

TV and Monitor Brand Listing - includes a list of orphaned brands

Recycling of Electronic Waste from Households in Maine (pdf format) – January 2008 – Maine DEP’s first biannual report to its Legislature on Maine’s household television and computer monitor recycling program

2006 - 2008 Collection Data by Consolidator - (pdf format)

Municipal collection sites for electronics and mercury-added products(MS Excel format) (pdf format) - This is a listing by town of municipal collection sites that accept Universal Waste. The green blocks signify that we have gathered the information from those towns. White means we were not able to reach anyone in that municipal office. Blue means that they will take from anyone in the state not just for the residents in their town.

Retailers DO NOT SELL - listing of TV and computer monitor manufacturers and their brands that cannot be sold in Maine (pdf format) (MS Excel format)

Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management
of Televisions and Computer Monitors
(htm format)

Maine's Cell Phone Recycling Law

Enforcement of Maine's E-Waste Law

Enforcement of Maine's E-Waste Law
- Description of DEP's authority to enforce the law.

Related Programs:

Computer Recycling

State Planning Office Waste Management & Recycling Program has a grant program to help municipalities develop storage facilities for the collection of mercury-added products, and televisions and computer monitors (off-Site)

Other Related Links:


EPA Electronics: A New Opportunity for Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling (off-Site)

Universal Waste Management and Recycling Companies

QUICK LINKS