Rhode Island implemented its e-waste recycling program in 2008, focusing on producer responsibility for television and computer manufacturers. The law requires manufacturers to finance the collection and recycling of covered devices, which residents can drop off for free at designated municipal sites. A statewide landfill ban on most electronics went into effect in 2011. The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) oversees collection coordination, while the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) enforces compliance.
Program Name: Rhode Island Electronics Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act
Year Implemented: 2008 (landfill ban effective January 1, 2011)
Is Producer Responsibility Required? Yes
Covered Products:
Televisions
Computers (desktops and laptops)
Computer monitors
Who Can Recycle:
Households
K–12 public and private schools
Landfill Ban? Yes – effective 2011
Key Manufacturer Requirements:
Register annually with the Rhode Island DEM
Pay annual fees (television manufacturers)
Submit collection and recycling plans (television manufacturers)
Provide free collection and recycling for eligible consumers
Program Website: https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/land-revitalization-and-sustainable-materials-management/waste-4
