The European Union continues to tackle environmental issues that affect its 25 member nations. In July 2006, the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) rule will go into effect severely limiting the import of six key toxic substances regularly used in electronics, including lead and cadmium. Thanks to the size of the European market, RoHS will set a new de facto global standard for limiting toxics in high-tech products. Similar regulations are in the works in Japan and China. In the United States, only a few states are looking into limiting use of some toxics. Regardless, American electronics manufacturers will need to comply with RoHS if they want to keep exporting their wares to Europe. Last year this market was worth $41 billion to U.S. manufacturers.

In March 2001, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control declared that all television sets and computer monitors that contain Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) were hazardous waste. Today, when we buy a new television or computer, a fee is collected to help fund recycling programs for these electronics.

Slowly this money is beginning to trickle back into local programs. Vallejo Garbage Service (VGS) and the City of Vallejo has sponsored annual E-Waste recycling events in the spring. VGS will pick up your televisions and monitors at your home. Residents can call VGS at 552-3110 for more information and fees.

Goodwill Industries has recently stepped up to the plate. After the law passed in 2001, they found that they were overwhelmed with televisions and computers. Goodwill had to pay the recycling and disposal costs to get rid of these items. They stopped taking them but units continued to show up illegally after hours.

After may months of negotiations with the state, they are now a certified e-waste recycler and are again accepting unwanted televisions and computers. At a Solano County Integrated Waste meeting recently, Craig Wilson from Goodwill Industries (www.eastbaygoodwill.org) gave us details of the program. They are set up to test and refurbish donated items to sell in their retail stores. Items that are not usable are sent out for recycling.

Other electronic items that Goodwill accepts include small copiers, microwaves, stereos, cell phones, and small kitchen appliances. Please call ahead for unusual items.

Businesses that have a lot of electronics to donate should call 1888-4GOODWILL for possible pickup. Solano County has five Goodwill Stores. The Vallejo Store (707643-3624) is located at 1039 Tennessee Street. Their store hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Their donation truck is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10:30 am to 5 pm.

Benicia’s Goodwill Store (707 746-8621) is located at 425 Military East. Their store hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Their donation truck is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.

Another nonprofit electronics company is the Computer Recycling Center (www.crc.org) with a warehouse in Santa Rosa. CRC started this business in 1991 and offers collection, reuse, and refurbishing of electronic equipment. Their Computers and EducationTM program provides refurbished computers to public schools and community nonprofits. Call 1-88-88-usedPC for more information.

VALLEJO COMPOSTING CLASS

VALCORE will conduct the last free backyard and earthworm composting class of the season on the Saturday, October 8 at 38 Sheridan from 10am to Noon. Two composting bins will be given away at each class to two Vallejo residents. Also on October 8 is the California Native Plant Sale in Benicia. The sale is located at the Community Garden at the corner of East Second and Military from 9 am to 3 pm. Fall is a great time to plant natives. The prices and advice are unbeatable. Volunteers are needed to prepare the plants, and work the sale. For information call Becky Mannion @ 707 429-2494.