“Positions” are reached by consensus of League members after much (sometimes years of) discussion and research. Therefore, they are not taken lightly. No one may speak for the League without adhering to the Positions.
POSITION: A statement of the League’s point of view on an issue, arrived at through member study and agreement (consensus or concurrence), approved by the appropriate board and used as a basis for League action.
Here is a summary of those positions, what is referred to as “Pocket Positions.” Any position which was established at the local level, rather than the US or MN level, has “Northfield” after its title.
Local Issue Research | E-Waste Recycling: A Guide for Rice County Residents and Beyond
Signe Aleckson, Solvei Berg-Messerole, Ella Cereghino, William Matzek, & Evgenia Roth, all students at St. Olaf College, completed this project is part of their class: Integration and Application to Environmental Studies, which has an “academic civic engagement” component. This website was created in May 2025, with the goal of informing the community of the challenges of electronic waste (e-waste) disposal and the possibilities with expanding e-waste recycling. While this website is designed especially for the Rice County community in Minnesota, it should be applicable for all.
The students work centered on supporting local advocacy for Minnesota’s Extended Producer Liability (EPL) bill. This bill proposes shifting the financial burden of e-waste recycling from consumers to electronics producers. If enacted, this legislation could incentivize more sustainable disposal practices and expand collection efforts across the state. Their contribution involved synthesizing research into accessible materials aimed at increasing public awareness and informing local policy. After interviewing key figures in e-waste management and touring several waste management facilities, the students shared their findings and gathered community perspectives at the Northfield Earth Day celebration through an interactive booth. To ensure continued access and engagement, their website outlines current e-waste issues, proposed solutions, and pathways for local action—including direct links for contacting legislators to help amplify community voices.