The U.S. Trade Representative’s office recently extended a tariff exemption on shredder parts that wear down until the end of May 2025. | cybrain/Shutterstock
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office has extended tariff exemptions that cover certain shredder components imported from China, drawing praise from the Recycled Materials Association. Continue Reading
If signed, S 254 would add more battery types beginning in January 2026. | JWPhotoworks/Shutterstock
A bill that would add rechargeable batteries and battery-containing products to Vermont’s existing stewardship program awaits the governor’s signature. Continue Reading
The week of negotiations had moments of both hope and frustration for delegates, who are racing against the clock to create a final treaty. | Photo courtesy of IISD/ENB Kiara Worth
The fourth meeting to draft a global plastic pollution treaty ended just after 3 a.m. on April 30 with general agreement on the need for global rules and mandates on product design, composition, performance and extended producer responsibility.
Colorado’s HB 1121 would broaden the scope of the state’s current right-to-repair law, which covers wheelchairs and farm equipment. | Damon Shaw/Shutterstock
Colorado would expand its current right-to-repair law to include consumer devices and business computing under a bill that’s been sent to the governor. Continue Reading
The bipartisan 2023 Wisconsin Act 108 altered the state’s e-scrap recycling program, E-Cycle Wisconsin, to include more items and to set targets differently. | Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock
An update to Wisconsin’s e-scrap recycling program will modify how manufacturer’s targets are set and expand what the program covers, among other changes. Continue Reading
SB 1596 excludes motor vehicles, off-road vehicles, farming equipment, medical devices, HVAC systems, solar panels or solar energy storage systems, video game consoles, electrical energy storage systems or electric toothbrushes. | bobpool/Shutterstock
A bill to ensure that consumers have the right to repair most electronics and appliances is on its way to the desk of Oregon’s governor.
Multiple groups are calling for the Federal Trade Commission to set a national right-to-repair standard. | Mark Van Scyoc/Shutterstock
Advocates for electronics repair last month delivered a petition asking the Federal Trade Commission to craft rules to prohibit manufacturers from restricting repair of their products. Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission received more than 1,000 comments supporting or opposing a recent petition calling for federal right-to-repair rules. | Yekatseryna Netuk/Shutterstock
Whether they were small repair business owners, industry associations or passionate individuals, hundreds of commenters on a recent right-to-repair petition to the Federal Trade Commission broadly agreed that consumers ought to have more options for fixing their devices and using them longer. Continue Reading
Officials at EPA hope that a clear standard for handling photovoltaic panels will increase the rate at which they are collected and processed. | Heinz Trebuth/Shutterstock
In response to electric power industry requests, the EPA is looking to classify solar panels as universal waste. The agency is also working to create a category of universal waste specifically for lithium-ion batteries. Continue Reading
Supporters of SB 244 pose in front of a pile of laptops and other devices during a rally. | Andy Smith, Courtesy of CALPIRG
California’s right-to-repair bill for electronics awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, and supporters are lauding the years of work it took to get to this point. Continue Reading