The State of California has enacted legislation that governs management and disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The California Electronic Waste Recycling Act was passed in 2003. The two main objectives of the act is to establish a funding system for the collection and recycling of discarded covered electronic devices and to limit the amount of toxic substances in certain electronic products sold in California.

This legislation is enforced by the California State Department of Toxic Substances Control. Based on Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS), DTSC has designated e-wastes as universal wastes. This is due to the fact that, when processed with precaution, these wastes do not pose any danger to the environment or the people. Compared to hazardous wastes, the universal wastes are regulated by less stringent rules for handling and transportation.

An Electronic Waste Recycling Fee is therefore collected from consumers who buy covered electronic devices. This fee is collected by the retailers and is then transferred to the Board of Equalization. The California State Integrated Waste Management Board manages the payment system and performs an annual evaluation of the fee.

The act requires manufacturers of covered electronic devices to display their endeavor to reduce the use of hazardous materials and increase the incorporation of recyclable components in the electronic devices they manufacture. They should also develop programs for the consumers to revert to the manufacturers.

Ewaste Center is an approved recycler under the California E-Waste recycling program and therefore offers free e-waste recycling services.