Cal. State Sen. Sher (D-San Jose) reintroduced electronics waste ...

veto of bills that, among other things, would have required manufacturers of computers, TVs and other CRT-based devices to collect $10 fee for collection and recycling of e-waste, Davis had said he was willing to sign legislation in next session that “challenges industry to assume greater responsibility for the recycling and disposal of electronics waste.” In related development, environment groups were encouraged by shift in stance of Hewlett-Packard. Company said it now would support state legislation to require computer manufacturers to bear cost of collection and recycling. Environmental groups consider HP’s opposition to previous bills to have been main factor in governor’s veto. SB-20 is “spot bill” that contains only intent language, said Mark Murray of Californians Against Waste (CAW), one of chief supporters of measure. Bill merely expresses intent to adopt a producer responsibility policy for electronics waste, he said. He said HP announcement hadn’t influenced Sher’s decision to reintroduce bill because he had made decision before that. But company’s shift to support some kind of producer responsibility policy is “definitely welcome news,” Murray said. HP spokeswoman said company had made recommendations to Cal. EPA at recent e-waste forum. Although its emphasis was on national solution rather than state-by-state approach, it had realized that states weren’t going to wait for national system, she said. HP decided to play “constructive role” in Cal. legislation to ensure that “fair, efficient and environmentally sound” system emerged offering level playing field, she said. HP also considered Cal. legislation as possible starting point for national system, she said. Reason HP decided to go along was because it realized it would get “a seat at the table” in same way as Apple was able to influence previous legislation, Murray said: “If HP is serious this time, it will have an opportunity to influence what this bill looks like.” As for prospects for new legislation, Murray said dynamics had changed, with Davis saying in veto message that he wanted to see bill next year, outrage over illegal disposal of e-waste in developing countries particularly China, HP’s shift in position. “I think that all these things combined make it extremely likely that we will see a law this year.”