Electronic products are the fastest growing segment of the solid
waste stream. Many electronic products contain hazardous
materials that should be diverted from landfills because they
pose health and environmental risks. Obsolete electronic
products, such as computers, televisions and cell phones, can be
refurbished and reused and become economically viable again — or
they can be recycled. Under the “take-back” or producer
responsibility laws, consumers return the product to the
retailer who then sends them back to the manufacturers. One idea
on how to encourage this is to give consumers a $10 cash rebate
for returning their obsolete electronic products. More than 25
states have passed legislation mandating statewide electronics
waste recycling. This means that 65 percent of the population of
the United States is now covered by state electronic waste
recycling laws. Our neighbors Missouri and Oklahoma already have
take-back laws and Illinois has a model law. It is time for
Kansas to join them in protecting th