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Beaumont Enterprise, November 20, 2009 By Sarah Moore

The electronics recycling gap

Beaumont and Port Arthur — along with most other Texas cities — fail to provide residents with information that could help them properly dispose of old electronics at low or no cost, according to a study released this week by Public Research Works and Texas Campaign for the Environment.

The study notes that the disposal of these items costs cities money, and if they are put in landfills, they have the potential to leak toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium.

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The Texas Legislature in 2007 passed a law requiring computer manufacturers to provide free and convenient recycling options for obsolete products, and would have included televisions in the requirement during this year's session, but Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the bill.

While environmental advocates consider manufacturer programs a sustainable solution to the problem of electronic waste, and the programs are becoming increasingly available, consumers are kept in the dark, according to the study.

State funding for public education could increase knowledge of and participation in the programs.

Both Beaumont and Port Arthur said they are working to improve the way they deal with recyclables as well as public education.

The City of Beaumont currently is employing the volunteer efforts of a 15-member recycling committee to explore options for recycling a broad range of items. Mayor Becky Ames said the committee has been meeting once a month since July to find vendors who will take recyclables, educate the public on the need to recycle and determine the level of public interest.

Another objective has been the creation of a survey to send out to Beaumont residents to gauge public interest in recycling and determine the most effective way to proceed.

Committee head Mel Wright of Wright's Scrap Metal said the committee is made up of residents from many different walks of life, from refinery and retail workers to architects and lawyers.

"We've been meeting; we've had the different companies come in: Recycle Bank, Allied Waste, Waste Management. Currently we're working toward trying to come up with a plan the citizens can utilize through a subscription service."

Wright explained that under the service, residents would pay a fee to have recyclables picked up. A similar service in Austin cost $10 per month, he added.