As the United States grapples with mounting electronic waste (e-waste) pollution, a growing number of states are moving beyond stopgap recycling efforts and adopting legislation that reflects the core principles of a circular economy: durability, repairability, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and universal access to safe disposal.

Often underestimated in its environmental and human health impact, e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Discarded electronics release toxins like lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants, endangering workers, contaminating soil and water, and contributing to the breakdown of waste management infrastructure. Recognizing this, forward-looking states are using legislation to shift the burden of responsibility away from consumers and local governments, placing it squarely with the producers.

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Maryland: Covered Electronic Device Recycling Program 

Maryland House Bill 931 would have established the “Covered Electronic Device (CED) Recycling Program”, which takes important first steps toward a statewide system of collection and safe disposal for devices like phones, printers, and televisions. While the program would still have been rooted in traditional e-waste handling models, it includes funding mechanisms such as a “CED Manufacturer Registration Fee Account” and “CED Recycling Account”, which signal a shift toward producer participation in end-of-life device management. However, the long-term efficacy of this program would have depended on whether it evolves toward a performance-based EPR framework with incentives for design improvements and measurable recovery goals. The legislation did not advance in 2025.

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Massachusetts: Producer Accountability Through EPR 

Massachusetts Senate Bill 653 would adopt a more comprehensive approach to e-waste management through the introduction of an “Extended Producer Responsibility” framework. Under the bill, manufacturers—not municipalities—would finance and operate end-of-life collection and recycling programs for the products they sell. This approach would do more than divert waste; it would push manufacturers to incorporate safer materials and modular designs, since they would be accountable for the environmental costs of their design decisions. EPR is globally recognized as a best practice for reducing e-waste and ensuring financial accountability aligns with environmental impact.

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New York: Making Public Awareness a Legal Obligation 

New York Senate Bill 6393 would embed consumer education into its electronic waste, requiring manufacturers of electronic products to implement programs that educate customers about the various options for electronic waste disposal. The bill would require that manufacturers implement public education initiatives about recycling and take-back options using advertisements, post-purchase notifications, product manuals, and more.

Electronic waste collection site operators would be obligated to report producers or manufacturers who do not abide by the law and prompt the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to investigate the claims. The bill did not advance in New York’s legislative session in 2025. 

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Minnesota: Restructuring Responsibility and Accessibility

Minnesota Senate File 1690, which did not advance in the 2025 legislative session, proposed an innovative structure: a “Nonprofit Stewardship Organization” funded entirely by producers of electronic components such as batteries and circuit boards. This producer-funded Organization would help regulate recycling, education, and public access to electronic waste sites in Minnesota. This body would be responsible for statewide collection logistics, education, and transparent reporting.

The Organization would have to ensure that 95% of the population lives within ten miles of a free electronic waste drop-off site. Additionally, the Nonprofit Stewardship Organization must report collection volume annually, as well as specific battery types collected.

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Pennsylvania: Coordinated Oversight and Enforcement

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 856 proposes a statewide electronic waste recycling program managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with advice from an “Advisory Committee on Electronic Waste Recycling” composed of manufacturers and local representatives, to assist with the regulation, certification, and oversight of recyclers.

Notably, the bill includes enforceable penalties for non-compliance: a potential fine up to $10,000 or civil enforcement actions. This bill was under consideration by the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.

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Illinois: Bill Updating the Statewide Consumer Electronic Recycling Act

The Illinois State Legislature passed House Bill 3098, which would update the existing state e-waste framework by expanding collection obligations to cover not just residential electronics but also those generated by schools, nonprofits, and businesses. This broadened scope aligns with the reality that electronic waste is generated across sectors. The bill also mandates closer collaboration between manufacturers and municipalities and strengthens reporting requirements to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While not a complete EPR system, this legislation builds capacity and closes critical loopholes, laying the groundwork for a broader circularity mandate. 

This bill, like many other states, ensures the education and awareness of electronic waste for residents of Illinois. Specifically, requiring that manufacturers include outreach initiatives within their program plans. Both chambers passed this bill, and, as of July 17, 2025, it is awaiting Governor Pritzker’s signature.

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