Electronics recycling law is first in U.S. to bill manufacturers.

• Author: Mastny, Lisa

In January, Maine became the first U.S. state to bill manufacturers directly for the cost of recycling used televisions and computer monitors. Under the new law, producers must shoulder the cost of sending these electronics to recycling centers where toxic materials such as lead and mercury are removed.

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While a handful of states have "e-waste" laws, Maine's is the first to put the recycling burden on manufacturers rather than consumers. In California, for instance, buyers of TVs or computer monitors must pay an upfront fee for disposal. Though Maine consumers are still charged for dropping off used electronics at collection centers, the fee for TVs and monitors is now only $2 per item, down from $15-$20.

The state has approved five consolidators, which will gather and sort the equipment for recycling and then bill manufacturers according to the amount of waste each contributes. Disposal costs for "orphan" units, those made by manufacturers that are no longer in business, will be shared by the other companies in proportion to their overall costs.

The aim of the law is to keep toxic materials from being released into the environment from incinerators or landfills. TVs and older computer monitors each contain 1.8-3.6...