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Gov't okays electronic waste recycling bill
New legislation regulating electronic waste management aims to tackle Israel's 85,000 annual tones of waste
The government approved new legislation regulating the recycling of electronic waste.
The bill was presented by the Environmental Protection Ministry. It mandates manufacturers and importers of electronics and batteries to fund the removal and disposal of electronic waste.
The bill further sets guidelines for electronic waste management, which aim to reduce its quantity by encouraging recycling, as well as minimize the health risks caused by the improper disposal of such waste.
"We are seeing tremendous growth in the purchase and replacement of home appliances. TVs, refrigerators and computers are simple thrown out and harm the environment and our health," Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan said.
"This bill aims to regulate, for the first time, a mechanism for electronic waste management and will compel manufacturers and importers to deal with product-derived waste."
The electronic waste recycling bill is another layer in the ministry's solid waste management policy, and was preceded by the packages, tires and bottles recycling bills.
Ministry data suggests that Israel produces 85,000 tones of electronic waste a year.
