In Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, the news comes as a great relief. The local electronics recycling program has grown by 30 percent each year since it began in 1992, and the county has already collected 1,000 tons of electronic waste in 2000. While it is too early to know how much Sony's involvement will save taxpayers, Mr. Brandt said every little bit helps. Other companies have programs as well. Earlier this month, I.B.M. introduced a service that allows individuals and small businesses to ship old computers to a recycling center.
Gateway offers rebates on new purchases when buyers bring an old computer to a collection site.
For now, programs like these will remain strictly voluntary because the Environmental Protection Agency doesn't have the authority to mandate take-backs. But the federal government and the computer industry are closely watching developments in Europe, which is finalizing a directive that puts the responsibility for computer recycling squarely on producers' shoulders. A similar law in Japan will become fully enforceable early in 2001. In doing so, they would have a greater financial incentive to make their computers less toxic, more upgradable and easier to recycle. The Northwest Product Stewardship Council in Seattle wants to jump-start the process by urging companies like Boeing, REI, Nordstrom and Microsoft to make environmentally responsible computer purchases.