Contrast that to Maine, which doesn't charge an upfront recycling fee at the time of purchase. Instead, manufacturers are responsible for the recycling costs. Local municipalities collect the electronics devices, which then go to a state-approved private company for recycling, according to Carole Cifrino, an environmental specialist at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Under Maine's system, once a product such as a laptop is collected, the manufacturer is identified and sent a bill for the disposal costs, which range from 19 to 42 cents per pound. If a hardware maker has gone out of business or can't be identified, the cost of disposal is spread out between all manufacturers. "I think that Maine has been very proactive in trying to reduce the toxicity of waste going into landfills and incinerators," Cifrino said.

Industry groups can see pluses and minuses in the various laws. Goss, for instance, points out that under Maine's law, long-established electronics makers likely will absorb much of the disposal costs while foreign competitors and so-called white-box makers that may be short-lived could avoid paying any of the expenses.

There are no hearings scheduled yet on Thompson's federal bill, and it remains to be seen how the electronics industry will influence the final proposal. But the expectation is that the topic of e-waste will generate increasing debate among lawmakers.

"I do think we're under pressure to do something, not just because of Thompson but because of what's going on in the states," said Parker Brugge, senior director and environmental counsel at the CEA.