...Recently, Massachusetts lawmakers took a big step toward addressing the problem of electronics disposal. On Nov. 15, the legislative Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture voted favorably on a bill that would make manufacturers responsible for collecting and disposing of old electronics. Such a law, supporters say, would save money for both consumers and cash-strapped municipalities, and would inspire the industry to focus on making products that can be easily recycled....

The e-waste bill is part of a larger "extended producer responsibility" effort that seeks to make manufacturers responsible for the end-life of their goods. Such policies, argues Clean Water Action of Massachusetts, a major supporter of the e-waste bill, would give producers "a financial incentive to re-design their products to be less toxic, more durable, and easier to recycle." ...