Senators want tax breaks for computer disposal

WASHINGTON - Two U.S. senators on Thursday introduced legislation that would give tax breaks to individuals and businesses that safely dispose of computers and other worn-out electronic devices.

The Electronic Waste Recycling and Promotion and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 would create incentives for a nationwide recycling infrastructure for computers, monitors and television sets, said senators Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, and Jim Talent, a Missouri Republican.

The e-waste recycling bill would establish a $8 per piece tax credit for companies that recycle at least 5,000 monitors or computer units per year. Individuals who use qualified recyclers to dispose of computers or TV sets would receive a $15 tax credit. The bill would also prohibit the disposal of any electronic equipment containing a display screen greater than 4 inches or any computer system in a municipal solid waste landfill, beginning three years after the bill is passed.

The prohibition would take effect only if the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finds that a majority of U.S. households have reasonable access to e-waste recycling.

Wyden, in a statement, noted that old computers contain a number of hazardous toxins including lead, mercury and cadmium, and some experts estimate that more than 150 million tons of electronic equipment were thrown away in 2004. Some states have e-waste recycling programs, but a national program does not exist.

“Growing mountains of e-waste are clogging our nation’s landfills and posing great risks to Americans’ health and to our natural environment,” Wyden said in the statement. “As technology improves and folks get newer and faster computers, they need a safe and easy way to get rid of their old machines.”

The National Recycling Coalition, the Environmental Technology Council, the Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition, Waste Management Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Intel Corp. have all expressed support for the bill, according to Wyden.