Minnesota is looking to charge consumers for recycling electronics made with toxic chemicals

• Consumers would pay a $10 "advance recycling fee" when they buy televisions and computers, under legislation supported by Gov.
• The money raised would finance the collection and recycling of the computers and TVs.
• It's needed, backers said, in the wake of a bill Pawlenty signed into law in 2003 that banned consumer electronics containing lead and other toxic metals from Minnesota landfills and incinerators.
• The proposal is based on a California plan supported by technology manufacturers, and it leaves the fee collection duties to retailers instead of creating a new state agency.
• The surcharge is projected to raise $15 million a year.
• The state official who's guiding the plan said it's "not a slam-dunk proposal or a done deal," but said analysis has shown it's both easy for consumers to understand and would provide the funds needed to implement the ban.
• "The governor's office supports this recommendation and we will work with the Legislature to develop a bill," said Art Dunn, director of the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance.
• The bill is a product of hearings held by the Office of Environmental Assistance that included representative of industry, environmental and government groups, and other concerned parties.
• Buzz Anderson, president of the Minnesota Retail Association, said retailers in the state would prefer uniform national legislation regulating the recycling of consumer electronics.
• Anderson said retailers would accept the $10 fee as long as it's designated on consumer receipts, and that it's incurred by all merchants, including online retailers.
• "Otherwise, this puts the retailers who invest in Minnesota, pay wages and salaries and property taxes at a huge disadvantage," Anderson said.
• According to Appliance Manufacturer Magazine, about 608,000 TVs, 703,000 PCs and 266,000 laptops were sold in Minnesota in 2003.