California launches "mandatory" cellphone recycling program

The Golden State has always been fairly legislation-happy when it comes to keeping things green, and now they're trying to "Keep California Beautiful" with a new program to require cellphone recycling. Californians have been restricted from throwing phones into the trash since February 8, 2006, but as of July 1 all cellphone retailers in California will be required to establish a collection and recycling program. Recycling will be free, but if even that is too much of a hassle, you can visit the KCB website to get a postage paid box for sending your old phone to a happy resting place from the comfort of your own home. KCB will also provide postage-paid collection boxes to businesses for collecting from employees and customers, so the program shouldn't cause much of an inconvenience. Unless, of course, you wanted to mix a bit of arsenic and beryllium into your water supply.

[Remoted @ Jun 28th 2006 10:19AM]

Interesting, what they will decide to recycle next. Maybe human? :

[Dr. Frankenstein @ Jun 28th 2006 10:27AM]

"Maybe human?"

Of course not... that would be wrong, ethically, morally, all those other "ly's". No matter how good of a lightning storm or how tempting it would be to play god... I would NEVER recycle humans. Ever.

*shifty eyes*

[mroach @ Jun 28th 2006 10:50AM]

How on Earth can they possibly enforce that?

[Magallanes @ Jun 28th 2006 11:21AM]

Many recycled cellphones are sold in third world, like refactured, second hand or even labeled as "cheap", sold in a fancy new box and many without a visible mark of be used.

The funny things is even in third world they "recycled" the phones, selling for a more poor countries or resell locally for a more cheap price.

Anyways, some cellphones are truly recycled while others are sell and resell to another people and finally put in trash (and polluting the Earth).

[JeffM @ Jun 28th 2006 11:53AM]

How many months until we have a phone disposal fee attached to each phone purchase?

[Oddmanout @ Jun 28th 2006 11:53AM]

(To 1, and 2)

All I can say (before I'm hauled away kicking and screaming) is SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(to 3)

Ever seen the Simpsons episode where they cut off garbage pick-up service at the Simpsons home ? That sort of thing is not entirely fictitious. They can cut off your trash service if they find you violating pollution laws (say throwing out paint or motor oil with your trash). My guess is the gov will pressure the waste disposal companies into thinking of a way to enforce it.

Heehee! Be glad you don't live in Japan. It's hillarious that in a land where you can't leave a grocery store with less than 3 plastic bags if you buy so much as a pack of gum, thye are SO strict about trash (probably BECAUSE they generate so much of it). Over here you have to sort your trash into up to five different categories (it varys between neighborhoods).
In some places you have to purchase your trashbags from the city (they are a specific size and are logoed). You are required to wash all PET-1 bottles (you have to WASH your trash!!!), remove the label (as it is a different grade of plastic), and the plastic ring at the neck that the cap was attached to must be cut off (requiring either tin-snips or scissors purpose built for that exact task...availble at your local home center). If you do not comply with these regulations the garbage collectors can issue a warning, if ignored they can/will cut off service...to your entire neighborhood. Thus it is not uncommon for someone in each neighborhood / apartment complex to 'monitor' the trash as it is put out (since there are only one or two spots per block / complex where you can put trash out (and it must be put out early in the morning on the day of pickup...NOT the night before).

When I first moved here, the school I attend gave me what I thought was a free local newspaper. It was in fact a 27 page brochure designed to educate me on the proper way to dispose of trash in this municipality. For example, batteries and light bulbs MUST be taken to a recycling center, or an electronics shop that SELLS batteries and lightbulbs respectively. Etc...etc...etc...

The amazing thing is people over here actually comply with those strictures. But I agree, it will be tough to enforce the cell phone thing in the US.

[jimilk @ Jun 28th 2006 12:05PM]

How will they enforce that? Maybe they'll check IMEIs of phones found in the garbage?

[Dimitri @ Jun 28th 2006 12:06PM]

I think you guys are missing the point. Sure it's difficult to enforce, but if it raises awareness of the environmental dangers of improper electronics disposal, that may be enough of an incentive to recycle them.

I never realized that cell phones (and other electronics, like TVs and computer monitors) are full of hazardous substances. I DON'T want that stuff seeping into my children's and grandchildren's environment.

[Dave @ Jun 28th 2006 1:01PM]

I have a better idea. Instead of throwing away that "old" phone, donate it to a local domestic violence shelter or another equally-deserving charity.

Hell, you can even write it off.

[JK @ Jun 28th 2006 1:40PM]

I believe in protecting the environment for our children, but not for our children's children, because I don't think children should be having sex.

[B @ Jun 28th 2006 1:58PM]

^^^^
So are you purposing splitting California above the Bay Area? Last I checked San Fran is the most liberal large city in the country. You hope everyone dies of smog yet it is legislation like this which is trying to reduce pollution. If you are going to go off on an idiotic rant at least try not to contradict yourself.

[steve @ Jun 28th 2006 2:14PM]

o the smug levels are too high were gonna have a huge smug storm that will wipe out half of the US

[Dave @ Jun 28th 2006 6:44PM]

northern california...hmmm...after living in both SF and LA I can offer that Northern California is usually the genesis point of silly legislation. And your point about water doesn't hold any water...the whole state steals it from Oregon. Get over it buddy, take a pull off your spliff and STFU.