Understanding the New CRT Law

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	March, 2006	Return to newsletter index

On January 18th, the first-in-the-nation Manufacturers Responsibility Law regarding Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) recycling went into effect in Maine. What this means is that manufacturers are now responsible for the recycling of the CRTs that are discarded from households in the State of Maine. What does this mean for Maine residents? Well, it means that getting rid of your televisions, flat screen televisions, computer monitors and laptops just got a whole lot cheaper.

For Residents of Saco, you are still welcome to bring your CRTs to the Transfer Station on the Foss Rd. The only part that changes is that instead of paying between $13 and $27 for disposal, the fees have been reduced to between $1 and $2. This minimal fee is to cover the City's cost of storage and tracking. The manufacturers will now cover the rest of the fee.

In some instances, municipalities do not collect CRTs or any other type of universal waste. In this case, the resident must bring their CRT directly to a State Certified Consolidator. Scarborough, for example, does not collect CRTs, so Scarborough residents should bring their CRTs to Riverside Recycling in Portland for a fee of $2.00. Anyone is welcome to bring his or her waste to Riverside Recycling.

However, this new law only requires manufacturers to pay for CRTs that come from Maine households. If you have CRTs that come from a business, a municipality, or a school, you are not eligible for this discount and you will be paying the full price no matter where you go.

In June of 2006, there will be a ban on CRTs from going into the waste stream, which means they have to be recycled. At that point, municipalities will be required to either take CRTs if they don't already, or designate a place for their residents to bring the CRTs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the Public Works Office at 282-1552 or by email at swojcoski@sacomaine.org. Remember, these CRTs must be recycled because they contain lead and other heavy metals that are hazardous to our health if they are broken, or managed in an environmentally unsafe and unsound manner.

-Sarah Wojcoski