Texas Campaign for the Environment: Victories 2007

After pressure from TCE and our allies, Sony became the first television manufacturer to begin offering free, nationwide recycling for their obsolete products in August of 2007. In addition, Sony signed the Manufacturer's Commitment to Responsible Recycling and pledged not to export toxic e-waste to developing nations.

news: Sony Champions Free Recycling (Fortune Magazine)

On August 28th, after recieving hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls from TCE supporters, the Williamson County Commissioners Court rejected voting for a flawed landfill contract with Waste Management. The Commissioners begun instead examining alternatives to a massive expansion of the county landfill.

Capping five years of organizing on electronic waste, TCE helps build a broad coalition of business, local government, recyclers and environmental groups to pass a computer takeback law at the State Capitol. Texas becomes the most populous state with a producer takeback law for electronic waste.

news: Texas Legislature Passes Dell-backed Computer Recycling Bill (Ars Technica)

After receiving hunderds of letters from TCE supporters, the City of Austin unanimously passed a strong resolution opposing the expansions of the problem BFI and Waste Management landfills in NE Travis County in May 2007.

On January 9, 2007, the Fort Worth City Council passed a resolution and changed the rules to help prevent unwelcome surprises such as the Trinity Park Thoroughfare which was defeated last year.  Any change to the Master Thoroughfare Plan that would affect a park must be voted on by the Parks Board, the Planning Commission, and the City Council.

More local governments unanimously pass producer takeback recycling resolutions:

-- The City of San Marcos in Hays County voted for a resolution on January 8, 2007.
-- The City of Avery in Red River County passed a resolution on January 16, 2007.
-- The City of Lakeway in Travis County passed its resolution on January 22, 2007.
-- Hays County became the first county government to pass a resolution on February 14, 2007.
-- The Austin City Council passed a resolution on March 22, 2007 in favor of all three e-waste bills HB 3758 (Naishtat), HB 2714 (Bonnen/Gattis) and SB 1324 (Watson) and specifically called for producer takeback recycling of computers and TVs.
-- On March 22, 2007 the Round Rock City Council passed a resolution in favor of SB 1324 and encouraged the State Legislature to include TVs in the bill.
-- Tarrant County became the second county government to pass a resolution on March 27th, 2007.
-- The City of Rowlett passed a resolution on April 3, 2007.
-- Travis County unanimously passed a resolution in favor of producer takeback legislation pending at the State Capitol on April 10, 2007.
-- The City of Sherman passed a resolution on May 7, 2007.
-- The City of Richardson passed a resolution on May 14, 2007.