The Sooner State is committed to environmental responsibility, and the Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act (OCERA) is a cornerstone of this commitment. This crucial legislation, officially known as 27A O.S. § 2-11-601 et seq., is designed to establish a convenient and ecologically sound system for the collection, recycling, and reuse of end-of-life computer electronics right here in Oklahoma. OCERA places responsibility on manufacturers to provide accessible take-back programs, ensuring consumers can easily recycle their old computers and monitors responsibly, often through mail-back services and sometimes via drop-off locations.
For any inquiries regarding the Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act or the broader topic of electronic recycling in Oklahoma, you can directly reach out to OCERA. Contact information and further details are available on the OCERA contact page or by phone at (405) 702-5119. You can also delve into the specifics of the regulations through these official documents:
Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act Rules
Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act Law
Understanding Manufacturer Responsibilities Under OCERA
OCERA places clear obligations on computer manufacturers operating in Oklahoma. These “applicable manufacturers” are defined as those who manufacture, sell, or import fifty or more “covered devices” within Oklahoma annually. A “covered device” specifically refers to a desktop computer, notebook computer, or computer monitor that is no longer in use by a consumer. It’s important to note that this definition excludes televisions, vehicle parts, PDAs, telephones, and medical devices with video displays.
By March 1st of each year, manufacturers meeting this criteria must have several key elements in place: a comprehensive recovery plan, submission of an annual report detailing their recycling efforts, and payment of an annual fee to support the program. New manufacturers entering the Oklahoma market are required to submit their recovery plans to Cat Ecker via email. Guidance on creating these recovery plans can be found in the Recovery Plan Guide provided by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Annual Fees for Manufacturers: Minor vs. Major
The annual fees associated with OCERA are structured based on the scale of the manufacturer’s operations in Oklahoma. The act distinguishes between two categories: minor and major manufacturers.
- Minor Manufacturer: This category includes manufacturers who sell, produce, or import between 51 and 999 covered devices annually within Oklahoma.
- Major Manufacturer: Major manufacturers are those who exceed the minor threshold, selling, producing, or importing 1,000 or more covered devices per year in Oklahoma.
While major manufacturers have a clearly defined fee structure, minor manufacturers have the option to submit documentation regarding their production, importation, and sales figures in Oklahoma. This allows for potential adjustments to their annual invoice, reflecting their actual activity level. The DEQ provides flexibility in the format for submitting this information, recognizing that reporting capabilities may vary across different manufacturers.
*For detailed information on fees, regulations, and legal specifics, please refer to the Laws, Rules, and Fees documents linked at the beginning of this article.
2023 Compliant Manufacturers and Mail-Back Recycling Options
OCERA’s success relies on the active participation of computer manufacturers. The following table highlights manufacturers compliant with the Act in 2023, specifically those offering mail-back options for consumers in Oklahoma. This list provides a direct pathway for Oklahoma residents to easily recycle their end-of-life computer equipment.
| Manufacturer | Accepting Brands/Devices | Mail-back Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Acer America Corp | Acer, eMachines, AOPEN, GRandPad, Gateway | Home page > scroll to the bottom for more information > click recycling > find Oklahoma > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label |
| Amazon.com Services | Echo Show, Kindle e-reader, Fire, Fire HD, Kindle Fire, Astro , Amazon Basics Monitors | Recycling page > click amazon recycling program link > fill out info > free shipping label |
| Apple Inc | Desktops, laptops, monitors, tablets (All brands) | Recycling page > click recycling > get started > fill out info > emails you shipping label |
| ASUS Computer International | ASUS/Republic of Games | Recycling page > click on Americas > click online form > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Better Workspaces, LLC | SideTrak | ERI recycling page > scroll down to cannot find a recycler > click select brand > click Better Workspaces > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Benq America Corp | BenQ | ERI recycling page > scroll down and select BenQ > contact customer service > free shipping label |
| Cyberpower Inc | Cyberpower, syber – computer, laptop, AIO | Email or call customer service > they’ll provide instructions on free shipping label |
| Dell Marketing, LP | Desktops, notebooks, tablets, monitors (All brands) | Recycling page > click recycle > click online shipping label > fill out info > free shipping label |
| Digital Products International, Inc (DPI) | Zeki | Recycling page > scroll to Oklahoma > click link > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label |
| DP Audio Video, LLC | Core Innovations | ERI recycling page > scroll down to click select brand > select Core Innovations > select Core Innovations /DP Audio and enter zip > select product > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Element TV Company | Element monitors | Recycling page > scroll to where can I recycling my electronics > click link > click element > click get started > fill out information > free shipping label |
| ELO Touch Solutions, Inc | Elo, Elo Touch, Elo TouchSolutions | Recycling page > click USA > scroll to residents of Oklahoma > click learn more > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label |
| Envision Peripherals, Inc | AOC monitors, Phillips monitors | Home page > click consumer-takeback > call or email customer service > free shipping label |
| Desktops, notebooks, tablets, monitors (All brands) | Recycling page > click start recycling ? help window pops up > scroll to click request shipping label > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label | |
| Hewlett Packard (HP) Inc | HP | Recycling page > scroll to select region > click recycle > click learn under home office equipment > click use our mail-back program > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label |
| HMD America Inc | Tablets, Nokia | Recycling page > click make recycling request > fill out information > free shipping label |
| International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) | IBM | Home page > couldn’t find a direct path, use search bar for recycling take back > click product take back for recycling > scroll to click Oklahoma > email customer service > free shipping label |
| Kyocera International Inc | Kyocera Tablets | Recycling page > click click here under recycle your device > fill out form > free shipping label |
| Lenovo Inc | Lenovo and Medion | Recycling page > click click here > click Americas > scroll to Oklahoma > click link > click RLGA webpage > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label |
| LG Electronics USA, Inc | LG, Zenith Goldstar (all brands) | Recycling page > scroll to electronics recycling mail-back program > click link > ERI recycling page > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Microsoft Corp | Microsoft | Recycling page > click USA > scroll to Oklahoma > click mail back devices > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label |
| MSI Computer Corporation | MSI notebook computer, desktop, all-in-one | Recycling page > click mrmrecycling.com link > click recycle now > click zip code > click see more options > click get label > click get started > ERI recycling page > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Nook Digital | Nook e-reader | MRM recycling page > click recycle now > click zip code > click see more options > click get label > click get started > ERI recycling page > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Planar Systems Inc | Planar | Recycling page > contact Planar’s environmental program > fill out form > free shipping label |
| Razer USA Ltd | Razer Blade Laptops | Home page > scroll down to recycling program under support > click OEM > click consumer-takeback > call or email customer service > free shipping label |
| Samsung | Samsung | Recycling page > click link to Samsung mail-back program > click get started > select Oklahoma > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Sceptre, Inc | Sceptre, oCosmo | Recycling page > call or email customer service > free shipping label |
| Sony Electronics | Sony | ERI recycling page > scroll down to click select brand > select Sony > fill out form > free shipping label |
| Targus | Targus | ERI recycling page > scroll down to click select brand > select Targus > fill out form > free shipping label |
| TCT Mobile Inc | Alacatel – tablets | MRM recycling page > click recycle now > click zip code > click see more options > click get label > click get started > ERI recycling page > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Viewsonic Corporation | Viewsonic Monitors (All brands) | Recycling page > scroll to click here in second paragraph under ViewSonic mail back program > fill out form > free shipping label |
| Vtech Electronics North America | Vtech tablets, leap frog, ereader | Recycling page > click click for details > scroll to Oklahoma > RLG website > fill out info > free shipping label |
| Walmart | Onn tablets | Recycling page > click url link > MRM recycling page > click recycle now > click zip code > click see more options > click get label > click get started > ERI recycling page > select Onn and enter zip > select product > fill out information > free shipping label |
| Westinghouse Electronics USA Inc | Westinghouse | ERI recycling page > scroll down to click select brand > select Westinghouse > fill out form > free shipping label |
Retailer Obligations in Oklahoma
OCERA doesn’t just focus on manufacturers; it also sets responsibilities for retailers selling computer equipment in Oklahoma. A key requirement for retailers is to ensure that any “covered device” they offer for sale is fully compliant with the Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act. This compliance includes proper labeling, as mandated by Section 5 of the Act.
To reiterate, the law defines a “covered device” as a desktop or notebook computer, or a computer monitor that is no longer useful to a consumer. It explicitly excludes items like televisions, car parts, personal digital assistants (PDAs), telephones, and medical devices containing video displays.
Furthermore, OCERA stipulates that “a manufacturer shall not sell or offer for sale any covered device in this state unless the covered device is labeled with the manufacturer’s brand. The label shall be permanently affixed and readily visible.” This labeling requirement helps ensure accountability and traceability within the recycling program.
Additional OCERA Resources and Information
For deeper exploration and further details regarding the Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act, the following resources and quick links are readily available:
OCERA Contact and Information
Past Annual Reports
By understanding and participating in the OCERA program, both manufacturers, retailers, and consumers in Oklahoma contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. Recycling your old computer equipment is not just a responsible choice; it’s a vital part of Oklahoma’s commitment to protecting our planet.
