[Archives] Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee

This page was archived on 10/6/2021. CalRecycle maintains archived information on its website as a record of its activities for use by the public and CalRecycle staff.

Description

On October 4, 2021, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved emergency regulations governing the covered electronic waste (CEW) recycling fee. The Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (Public Resources Code 42460, et seq.) established a financing mechanism intended to develop an infrastructure to provide convenient recycling opportunities and reduce the inappropriate disposal of certain electronic products discarded in California. This financing mechanism is funded by a CEW recycling fee that is assessed on consumers at the time of retail purchase of a new covered electronic device (CED).

Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 42464(f), no more frequently than annually, and no less frequently than biennially, CalRecycle has the responsibility to assess the adequacy of the CEW recycling fee to generate sufficient revenues to fund the operation and administration of the CEW Recycling Program. CalRecycle must determine by the statutory date of August 1, 2021, whether any fee adjustments are necessary. Any adjustments made to the fee levels will take effect on January 1, 2022.

The emergency regulations maintained and adopted the CEW recycling fee at the current rates in each size category:

  • Four dollars ($4) for each CED with a screen size of less than 15 inches measured diagonally.
  • Five dollars ($5) for each CED with a screen size greater than or equal to 15 inches but less than 35 inches measured diagonally.
  • Six dollars ($6) for each CED with a screen size greater than or equal to 35 inches measured diagonally.

In addition, the emergency regulations revised the illustrative examples in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Section 18660.37(g), which were inadvertently left unmodified the last time the CEW recycling fees were adjusted.

Affected Regulatory Code Sections

CCR, Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 8.2, Article 2.6, Sections 18660.37 and 18660.40.

Current Status and Documents

Approval by Office of Administrative Law (PDF)

The CEW Recycling Program’s current regulations, statutes, and historical documents can be found on our Regulations, Statutes, and Related Information page.

Rulemaking History

For more information contact: Legislative and External Affairs Office, lex.office@calrecycle.ca.gov