What is Electronic Waste Recycling Fee?

The Electronic Waste Recycling Fee is a fee imposed by the government of the state of California in the United States on new purchases of electronic products with viewable screens. It is one of the key elements of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act. Retailers submit the collected fees to the Board of Equalization. Retailers may pay the fee on behalf of the consumer, however the retailer must remit the same amount to the State and indicate the amount on the consumer receipt. Retailers may retain 3% of the collected fees in order to recoup costs of collection. The fees collected reimburse a number of recycling centers, who in turn offer free recycling of e-waste to consumers and businesses. The statutory recycling fees are adjusted every one to two years by the state on or before August 1 of the year. Sellers and manufacturers are subject to civil fines for failing to collect and remit the fee.
Fees are collected for the following CEDs (Covered Electronic Devices):
• Televisions that contain cathode ray tubes, liquid crystal displays, or plasma screens.
• Computer monitors that contain cathode ray tubes or use liquid crystal displays.
• Laptop computers and Portable DVD players with liquid crystal displays.
• "Bare" cathode ray tubes or any other product that contains a cathode ray tube.
In 2005, the California Board of Equalization charged the following fees