Key facts
- Half of US states lack e-waste laws.
- Existing e-waste laws have inconsistent definitions and recycling costs.
- Legal inconsistencies hinder the recycling of old phones.
The recycling of old electronic devices, such as phones, is hampered by a patchwork of laws across the United States. Approximately half of the country has no specific legislation addressing electronic waste (e-waste). In the states that do have e-waste laws, there is a significant lack of consensus regarding what constitutes e-waste and who should bear the financial responsibility for its recycling. This inconsistency in regulations makes it challenging to establish effective and uniform e-waste recycling programs nationwide. Most recyclable material never leaves the house. What does get collected faces contamination, weak markets, and a collapsed export system.