Minnesota's electronics recycling law takes effect this summer, affecting manufacturers, retailers, collectors and recyclers of video display devices (VDDs) sold to Minnesota households. Regulated VDDs include televisions, laptop computers and computer monitors with displays larger than nine inches, measured diagonally.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hosted a meeting to discuss the new law July 9 at the Hilton Hotel near the Minneapolis/St. Paul. Paul Airport in Bloomington. Following a question and answer session, electronics manufacturers connected with Minnesota retailers, collectors, recyclers and local units of government.

Under the new law, manufacturers of video display devices sold to Minnesota households must recycle 60 percent the first year and 80 percent of the total weight of VDDs sold in subsequent years of the program. Collectors and recyclers of VDDs must register with the MPCA by Aug. 1, 2007, and manufacturers must register by Sept. 1, 2007.

Effective Feb. 1, 2008, Minnesota retailers can no longer sell VDDs made by unregistered manufacturers.

More information about this new program is available at www.pca.state.mn.us/electronics. Manufacturers, retailers, collectors, recyclers and other interested parties are encouraged to sign up for e-mail updates online.