Electronic Waste
The Electronics Waste Program is an informational program maintained by the Policy, Planning, & Special Programs Branch of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Waste Division. One of the main goals of the program is to educate the residents, businesses, organizations, local governments, and State agencies on the proper management and disposal of end-of-life electronics. Electronic waste (E-Waste) is one of the fastest growing segments of solid waste generated in the United States – fueled, in part, by the speed at which electronics become obsolete. However, the number of electronic devices entering the waste stream is not as high as the rate at which electronic devices are being purchased due to people collecting and stockpiling old electronics. Some of the most common reasons people stockpile old electronics are personal data and lack of local disposal options. Other goals of the E-Waste Program are helping local governments design, implement, and maintain local E-Cycling programs; assisting local and state government leaders in developing environmentally friendly recycling and/or disposal options for end-of-life electronics; and monitoring e-waste legislation across the United States.
An increasing number of states have passed legislation addressing the management and recycling of electronics wastes. In the 2008-2009 session, the Mississippi Legislature passed SB 2796 requiring an advisory committee of various State agencies to review the issues, regulations, and possible solutions to the management of end-of-life electronics for State agencies and local governments. The full text of this report may be found by clicking here. In the 2013 session, the Mississippi Legislature passed SB 2754 (now Section 49-2-101 et seq. of the Miss. Code Annotated) requiring all State agencies to use certified electronics recyclers when disposing of electronic assets. Additionally, MDEQ is to maintain a list of the certified recyclers that state agencies may use. The requirements of this law go into effect July 1, 2014.
