By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

June 10, 2016 08:00:08 PM

ALLENTOWN (Scrap Monster): Pennsylvania homes have an estimated 694 million electronic devices --both used and unused -- but less than half the state's residents know where to recycle them.

And half don't want to pay to recycle them.

Those devices include tube TVs, tube and flat computer monitors, flat screen TVs, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, pads, e-readers, printers, keyboards, mice/trackpads, and wireless routers.

Less than 45 percent of Pennsylvanians know where to recycle electronics, according to a statewide study done by the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center in partnership with the Center for Survey Research at Penn State Harrisburg.

The survey also determined 50 percent of Pennsylvanians do not want to pay anything to recycle their electronics. But 65 percent are willing to drive up to 10 miles to recycle them.

Only 32 sites across the state accept all covered electronic devices for free, according to the Recycling Markets Center, which maintains Pennsylvania needs a consolidated electronics recycling law.

It reports that, under Pennsylvania’s Covered Device Recycling Act of 2010, the number of consumer outlets for recycling of waste electronics continues to decline.

The Recycling Markets Center is a non-profit corporation with a mission to expand and develop markets for recycled materials in Pennsylvania.

The center also estimates those 694 million electronic devices in homes across the state weigh a total of one billion pounds, the equivalent weight of about 3,473 Statue of Liberty monuments.

Courtesy: www.wfmz.com