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.

  • 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).
E-Waste Infograpgic

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:

  • $.98/lb. for cathode ray tube (CRT) CEW
  • $1.10/lb. for non-CRT CEW.

The recovery rate paid to approved collectors is $.35/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

Regulations

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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

Contact Us

ewaste@calrecycle.ca.gov  (916) 341-6269
Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program, MS-10B
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]).

This page is for informational purposes only; it does not list all requirements in statute and regulations.