A new state law banning electronics in landfills could make it easier for consumers to recycle their old TVs, computers and DVD players, and might even save them money.

Signed by Gov. Jim Doyle last week, the law requires manufacturers of any device with a screen that measures at least 7 inches across diagonally to recycle about 80 percent of the electronics they sell in the state each year. For example, if Sony sells 100,000 pounds of electronics in Wisconsin in a year, they will be responsible for recycling 80,000 pounds of electronics.

In Wisconsin, an estimated 10,000 tons of computer monitors and 24,000 tons of TVs are dumped each year, according to state Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, who introduced the law.

The cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium components in those electronics have been shown to cause problems in humans and animals, including brain damage, developmental problems, cancer, nervous system damage and endocrine disruption. If left in landfills, those chemicals could eventually trickle into the ground water.

Manufacturers will be required to register by Feb. 1 with the Department of Natural Resources, which will track the amount of electronics they sell and recycle. The electronics they recycle don't have to be their products, but they have to be electronics banned from landfills under the law. While the law doesn't apply to companies that only make VCRs and DVD players, the electronics count toward a manufacturer's recycling quota.

"The overall concept is called product stewardship. If you manufacture something like that, then you are ultimately responsible for recycling something like it," said John Anderson, Miller's spokesman. "There is a whole host of orphaned electronics out there made by companies that are no longer in business."

In addition to protecting the environment, Marathon County Solid Waste Administrator Meleesa Johnson said the new law eventually could help consumers and local governments who have long footed the bill to recycle electronics. Both Marathon and Portage counties collect electronics year-round, and both charge consumers a fee for the service. Marathon County charges $10 to have a TV or computer monitor recycled, while Portage County charges between $20 and $25. Both counties charge $10 to recycle a computer tower.

With consumers no longer able to throw electronics in the trash, more will be required to pay those fees, but Johnson said the new law likely could result in those fees being reduced or eliminated.

"Instead of John Q. Public having to pay $25 to get rid of a television, it might only be $5, or the recycler might say, 'You know what, that thing has become so valuable we might actually pay you $5,'" she said.

In the meantime, residents not interested in paying fees can bring their old electronics to Best Buy. The store actually gives a $10 gift card for each electronic brought in.

"We take pretty much everything back, whether you shop with us or not," said Justin Slack, store manager for the Best Buy in Plover.

Twenty states, including Illinois and Minnesota, have passed laws to manage discarded electronics.