Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program
California’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (Act) and other regulations set up a system to collect and recycle certain electronic wastes.
The information on this page does not apply to battery-embedded products. To learn more visit the SB 1215 page.
- A “covered electronic device” means a video display device covered by the law containing a screen greater than four inches, measured diagonally, identified as hazardous waste when discarded by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
- These devices include:
- Cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and monitors;
- Liquid crystal display (LCD)* televisions, monitors, laptop computers, tablets, smart displays, and portable DVD players;
- Plasma televisions;
- Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) televisions, monitors, laptop computers, and tablets.
* Light-emitting diodes (LED) devices are covered under the LCD category.
The Quarterly Update on California’s CEW Recycling Program provides statistics and a detailed explanation of the program.
Key Elements of the Program
- A fee is collected by retailers in California at the point-of sale of a covered electronic device.
- The CEW recycling fee is used to fund the collection and recycling of waste devices at end-of-life.
- The Act is implemented by CalRecycle, DTSC, and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
When a California consumer buys a CED from a retailer, the consumer pays a recycling fee that funds the CEW Recycling Program. The retailer collects those fees and remits them to CDTFA. CDTFA deposits the funds into the EWRRA. Approved recyclers and collectors of CEW subsequently receive payments to offset the average net cost of appropriate recovery, processing, and recycling activities. CalRecycle pays approved recyclers the combined recycling and recovery payment, and recyclers pass the recovery payment on to the approved collectors who recovered the CEW. CalRecycle works closely with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), who is responsible for regulating and enforcing the physical management of e-waste. DTSC conducts inspections and compliance activities with recyclers and collectors.
Payment Rates
The current combined recovery and recycling payment rates paid to approved recyclers are:
- $1.13/lb. for cathode ray tube (CRT) CEW
- $1.15/lb. for non-CRT CEW.
The recovery rate paid to approved collectors is $.40/lb. for all CEW types.
Consumer Fees
Currently, consumers are charged a CEW recycling fee of:
- $4 on a screen more than four inches but less than 15 inches;
- $5 on a screen more than 15 inches but less than 35 inches; and
- $6 on a screen measuring 35 inches or more.
Regulations, Statutes, and Related Information
Since certain components of electronic devices may be considered hazardous due to heavy metal or other constituents, they are regulated by either federal (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act–RCRA) or State (Health and Safety Code) hazardous waste laws, or both. Regulations in Title 14, Division 7 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) were promulgated to implement the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, with primary departments being CalRecycle and Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC).
Rulemaking
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Proposed Regulations
- No current proposed regulations.
Current Covered Electronic Waste Program Regulations
- Official CCR website: Browse the official online version of the CCR regulations pertaining to the Covered Electronic Waste Program.
Emergency Regulations
- Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee Emergency Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on September 27, 2023 (Previous action: October 4, 2021)
- Covered Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Payment Rates Emergency Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on June 7, 2023 (Previous Action: June 27, 2022).
- Structure for Pursuing Multiple Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Payment Rates Emergency Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on March 24, 2020. (Previous action: May 9, 2018).
- Designated Approved Collectors Emergency Regulations were readopted and approved by the Office of Administrative Law on March 5, 2019. (Previous action: March 16, 2017)
Regulations
- Section 100 – SB 1215 Covered Electronic Waste: On April 17, 2023, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the changes to California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, sections 18660.5, 18660.6, 186660.9, 18660.24, 18660.25, 18660.34 and 18660.41 as meeting the requirements of CCR, Title 1, section 100 for changes without regulatory effect.
- Structure for Pursuing Multiple Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Payment Rates: The Structure for Pursuing Multiple Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Payment Rates Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law and became effective on April 6, 2022.
- Designated Approved Collectors Regulations: The Designated Approved Collectors Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on July 3, 2020 and became effective on October 1, 2020.
- Regulations Amending the Electronic Waste Recycling Program were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on September 17, 2018 and became effective on October 1, 2018.
- DTSC CRT and CRT Glass Disposition Options regulations for electronic hazardous wastes were finalized and became effective October 22, 2018.
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Statute
- Public Resources Code (42460-42486) outlines the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003.
- California’s Health and Safety Code – Electronic Waste (Health and Safety Code Section 25214.9-25214.10.2, Article 10.3)
- SB 50 (Sher) was signed into law September 29, 2004 to clarify certain provisions of SB 20.
- SB 20 (Sher) was signed into law on September 25, 2003.
- CalRecycle rulemaking files contain the more important rulemaking documents, such as the Text of Proposed Regulations, Notice of Rulemaking, Initial and Final Statements of Reasons (ISOR/FSOR), Plain English Summary, Responses to Comments, and Final Text of Approved Regulations.
- DTSC Laws, Regulations, and Policies
- U.S. EPA has enacted an exclusion from the definition of solid waste which streamlines RCRA management requirements for used CRTs and glass removed from CRTs sent for recycling. (Note: California law may be more stringent than federal law.) U.S. EPA FAQ for regulation of used CRTs & CRT glass.
California E-Waste News & Events
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Upcoming Events
- Stakeholder workshop September 18, 2024: Battery-Embedded Products Virtual Informal Rulemaking Workshop
Past Events
- Stakeholder workshop April 8, 2024: Recovery and Recycling Payment Rates Considerations
- Public Notice June 20, 2023: Determination of the 2023 Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee
- Public monthly meeting May 16, 2023: Request for Approval of the 2023 Covered Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Payment Rates
- Stakeholder workshop April 13, 2023: Recovery and Recycling Payment Rates Considerations
- Stakeholder workshop March 15, 2023: Senate Bill (SB) 1215 Informational Session
- Public monthly meeting May 17, 2022: Approval of the 2022 Covered Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Payment Rates
- Stakeholder workshop April 21, 2022: Recovery and Recycling Payment Rates Considerations
- Public monthly meeting December 21, 2021: Adoption of Regulations Which Finalize Existing Emergency Regulations to Provide a Structure for Multiple Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Payment Rates
- Public Hearing October 21, 2021: Structure for Pursuing Multiple Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Payment Rates
- Public Notice June 15, 2021: Determination of the 2021 Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee
- Public monthly meeting April 20, 2021: Initiation of Formal Rulemaking to Finalize Existing Emergency Regulations Providing a Structure for Pursuing Multiple CEW Recycling Payment Rates.
Contact Us
ewaste@calrecycle.ca.gov (916) 341-6269
Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program, MS-9A
CalRecycle, P.O. Box 4025, Sacramento, CA 95812-4025
ListServ
CalRecycle sends out regular e-mail messages through a listserv to interested parties about developments in CalRecycle’s work to implement the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (SB 20 [Chapter 526, Statutes of 2003]; as amended by SB 50 [Chapter 863, Statutes of 2004]).
- Subscribe to the California E-Waste Updates electronic newsletter
- View E-Waste newsletter archives: Aug 2004-present
- See all currently available CalRecycle Listservs
This page is for informational purposes only; it does not list all requirements in statute and regulations.
For more information contact: Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program, EWaste@calrecycle.ca.gov