How would you feel about a mandatory computer recycling charge?

MacCentral notes that a California recycling bill may surcharge computer buyers to the tune of $10 per computer. Is this an acceptable cost? It looks like Apple is one of the few computer manufacturers supporting the bill.

My feeling: It is about time that manufacturers in a number of industries in the U.S. face the same kinds of environmental responsiblity that companies in Europe face, and a measly $10 recycling charge is at least a start in that direction.

What do you think? Send me an email.

Responses:

Albert McMurry writes:

"That's a drop in the bucket and the right thing to do!"

And aphid adds:

"$10 bucks to make sure a computer gets recycled? sounds great. better include the monitors though - all that lead and mercury. less of a problem with flat panels but yeah. its a good idea. the manufacturing sector should be responsible for the stuff it puts out, cradle to grave."

Giles Turnbull says:

"It's high time consumers accepted that they need to pay for the recycling of products, and the packaging products come wrapped in. This is a sensible idea, and keeping the price low will hopefully encourage more people to accept it."

Bob Walsh adds:

"I'm all for it. Let's include TV's, DVD's and VCR's.
I wonder if manufacturers realize it might increase sales. One reason I'm slow to upgrade(besides money of course) is that I don't want old equipment piling up that can't be recycled.
It's easier to dispose of a car than a computer !
In the meantime, is there some resource that shows all current recycling programs, how to use them and what they do ? Even the current system might work better if there were better information flow."

Thierry notes:

"Well, it's about time for the US to follow the rest of us. Ahem, only one state over 50? Heck, you're fast...
Here in Switzerland (you know, this small country which just joined the UNO) , it's common practice for years to pay up-front a charge for every electronic devices. Ovens, fridges, and yes, computers are part of the list.
If you happen to have an older device which you want to dispose, you'll have to pay for it anyway at the waste if you did not pay up-front. Or the vendor who sold you a new one will take charge of the older, and pay for it.
Yes, the system works beautifully, and guess what? Switzerland appears to be one of the cleanest countries in the world... :-)
Proud not to live in the #1 polluting country of the world..."