Report Title:

Computer and Electronic Waste; Recycling

Description:

Establishes a task force to prepare a statewide policy and plan for the management of electronic waste.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1004

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to electronic waste.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that computers, televisions, and other electronic products constitute one of the fastest growing categories of solid waste. This waste poses a dilemma for waste managers–-both from the volume of waste and the hazardous materials that could be released into the environment during incineration.

Most computers and television monitors use cathode ray tubes which contain from five to eight pounds of lead. Other hazardous materials found in computers include cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, plastics, polyvinylchloride, and flame retardants. These hazardous materials are harmful to human and environmental health, especially if they are allowed to contaminate soil and water.

By 2005, three hundred fifty million electronic machines will have reached obsolescence, and at least fifty-five million of these machines are expected to end up in landfills, according to the National Safety Council. More than five hundred million computers will be discarded by 2007, resulting in the need to dispose of 6.3 billion pounds of plastic and 1.6 billion pounds of lead.

Reusing and recycling electronics is the best way to manage waste. The debate centers, however, on who should be responsible for the recycling–-manufacturers, retailers, consumers, waste handlers, or a combination.

The purpose of this Act is to protect the public health, safety, and the environment by establishing a task force to address the solid waste management of computers and other electronic waste statewide.

SECTION 2. There is established within the department of health, the electronic waste task force, which shall be comprised of members including:

(1) The director of health, or the director's designee, who will also serve as the chair of the task force;

(2) The comptroller or the comptroller's designee;

(3) One representative from each county's solid waste management agency;

(4) Two individuals, selected by the director of health, representing the solid waste management industry; and

(5) Two individuals, selected by the director of health, representing environmental interests.

SECTION 3. The task force shall prepare a statewide policy and plan for the management of electronic waste. For purposes of this section, electronic waste shall include devices utilizing electrons and electric circuits, such as computers, household appliances, televisions, recording and playing devices for music or video tapes, and digital technology. The policy objective is to ensure that electronic products are disposed of or recycled in a manner that is cost-effective and safe to the health of humans and the environment. The reduction of electronic waste shall also be one of the policy objectives. In preparing the policy, the task force, among other things, shall:

(1) Determine whether electronic waste disposal in landfills should be banned;

(2) Determine who should be responsible for appropriate disposal or recycling of electronic waste, e.g., manufacturers, retailers, consumers, waste handlers, or a combination;

(3) Evaluate and recommend strategies for the safe disposal of electronic waste;

(4) Evaluate and recommend disposal and recycling options other than landfill disposal, including but not limited to parts harvesting, reuse, resale, donation, and demanufacturing;

(5) Evaluate and recommend strategies for state and county governments to reduce, dispose, and recycle electronic waste generated by their respective agencies. This includes but is not limited to determining whether and how to implement a policy regarding the preferential sale or donation of surplus and obsolete computer and electronic equipment to other agencies and Hawaii's public schools;

(6) Evaluate and recommend ways of reducing electronic waste;

(7) Evaluate and recommend funding strategies to implement statewide electronic waste management; and

(8) Recommend a plan and timetable for implementing statewide electronic management.

SECTION 4. The electronic waste task force shall submit a report on the task force's actions and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2006.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, for the electronic waste task force as established in section 2 of this Act.

SECTION 6. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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