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Oops. State agencies forget to follow state regulations.
November 20th, 2008, 6:30 am · 7 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
This from the “Do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do” department….
Despite state regulations forbidding folks from throwing “e-waste” in the garbage - computer monitors, fax machines, cameras, cell phones, etc. - state employees tossed them into the trash nonetheless.
The latest from our friends at the California State Auditor’s office tells us that:
- A single California Highway Patrol unit threw 354 stereos, fax machines, cameras and other electronic devices into the trash. (Stereos?!)
- The larger California Highway Patrol threw stuff like that away, too, but it has no idea precisely how much.
- Ditto for the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Employment Development Department, Department of Transportation and Department of Justice.
“Because e-waste can contain toxic metals such as lead and mercury, these state agencies may have contributed to environmental contamination that can pose a threat to public health and safety,” says the auditor’s report, released Tuesday.
The blame doesn’t just go to clueless state employees, but to “the lack of clear communication from oversight agencies.”
(Are you guilty of this, dear readers? Click here for hazardous waste disposal information in Orange County.)
The state auditor’s recommendations include the following gems:
- “To avoid contaminating the environment through the inappropriate disposal of electronic devices, state agencies should determine whether they can place in the trash the electronic devices they need to discard.
- “To assist state agencies in their efforts to keep their e-waste out of landfills, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, and General Services should collaborate to identify and implement methods to communicate clearly to state agencies their responsibilities for properly handling and disposing of e-waste.”
November 20th, 2008 at 10:03 am
This is a clear example of how regulations cost money to follow and even the State cannot afford to follow the rules.
Time to get real with what is expected of the People of California.
Hey but are we not paying an e-waste tax now? Who is getting that money? Can I use the money to have my e-waste picked up from my home when I am done using my TV?
November 20th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Goodwill Industries of Orange County is a state certified collector of E-Waste. What could be easier?
http://www.ocgoodwill-ewaste.org/cms/ocgoodwill-ewaste_default.aspx?id=78
November 20th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Alan, you said the magical word TAX….that’s just another incentive to tax us even more in this state of overtaxation..They should call this the State of Tax repulsiveness…..
November 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Sowhat - I’m pretty sure you’ve herad this, there are two things in life that you can not avoif one being taxes and the other being death, especially inthe U.S. If you really feel against this then i suggest that you pick up and leave the country because anywhere you go around here its goign to be the same story.
As fo the state agencies..WAY TO GO!!! setting the right example and following the laws!! No wonder everyone says Californians are ignorant and nieve….so sad
November 20th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I already donate my old WORKING electronics to Goodwill, now I will consider donating my old non-working electronics as well…
and to what others have said, I can’t believe even responsible consumers are forced to pay e-waste fees when state agencies (that presumably don’t pay the fees) aren’t even complying.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
The unfortunate consecquence of these actions, if it were you or I, would be fines. Now, how do go about fining the gubmint? I opine a tax credit to all, in the amount of the fine. Let the gubmint feel the pinch…
November 21st, 2008 at 11:45 am
The article insinuates that only Waste Management, a private trash collection company, is able to take old ewaste.
I work at Recomprecycling.com, and we take old ewaste free from California residents every day.
We offer a much higher level of service to businesses and government agencies than Waste Management, a trash company, or Goodwill. We’ll send a truck to pick it up.