HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 03-67 Statewide Market Pollution Prevention Cleanup CITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: ADOPT RESOLUTION N003-67 INDICATING THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT'S SUPPORT FOR A STATEWIDE MARKET-
BASED APPROACH TO POLLUTION PREVENTION, CLEANUP,
AND A "NO-COST-TO-TAXPAYER" COMMUNITY RECYCLING
OPTION RELATED TO E-WASTE.
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Kohn, Director of Special Programs
DATE: May 22, 2003
CONTENTS: Resolution No. 03-67
Local Government Commission (LGC) and Californians Against
Waste (CAW) Documents/Letters/Explanations
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 03-67 indicating the City of Palm Desert's support for a
statewide market-based approach to pollution, prevention, and cleanup, and a "No-
Cost-to-Taxpayer" community recycling option(s) related to e-waste (Cathode Ray
Tubes, Televisions, other, Electronic Waste).
Executive Summary:
Staff received and reviewed documents provided by Judy Corbett of the Local
Government Commission (LGC) and Kevin Greene of Californians Against Waste
(CAW) regarding e-waste. The CAW means well; however, they tend to suggest
actions by local government that are punitive and costly without much thought as to the
political or financial impacts to City residents or businesses.
The City of Palm Desert is ahead of the game in implementing an e-waste program.
City staff began discussions with Waste Management last year regarding expansion of
the Household Hazard Waste (HHW) program to include e-waste, small quantity
generators (businesses), and perhaps sharps (needles, lancets, etc.). Waste
Management is implementing an e-waste collection and recycling program in Palm
Desert as part of the HHW program. This is being done without any direct cost to the
City. Residents or businesses may be charged a small fee in the future after grant
funding ends, and there will be limits on the number of units an individual can bring in.
The e-waste program will be implemented this year (2003).
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\OLK7283\StaffReportEWaste.doc
Resolution No. 03-67
STAFF REPORT
MAY 22, 2003
E-Waste Page 2
Discussion:
Staff believes adopting an ordinance as proposed by the Local Government
Commission and Californians Against Waste creates more problems than it is meant to
solve. Unless every competing business within the Coachella Valley was subject to the
same conditions, adopting the ordinance as proposed by the CAW would create a
disadvantage for Palm Desert businesses. Local ordinances that address issues of
such a broad nature rarely work. Manufacturers' responsibility laws and the regulation
of their products are appropriate at the Federal and State levels.
Therefore, staff suggests as an alternative to the LGC and CAW request that the City
Council adopt a resolution of support using some of the terms and descriptions
contained in their proposed ordinance. The enclosed resolution serves this purpose.
The resolution will be forwarded to the Department of Toxic Substances Control
(DTSC), California Integrated Waste Management Board, Solid Waste Association of
North America, and Californians Against Waste for their use in lobbying the State for
legislative changes.
Submitted by: ! D artment
/41,t/a_,
ROBERT P. K HN SHEILA GILLI AN
DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROGRAMS ASSISTANT CITY M AGER,
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Approvals: CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
APPROVED f DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
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CARLOS ORT—E6 NOES:
CITY MANAGER ABSENT: T
ABSTAIN: r
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VERIFIED BY: k'l� T�s
Original on File th ity Clerk's Office
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files\OLK7283\StaffReportEWaste.doc
•
RESOLUTION NO. 03-67
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING
LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRONIC SCRAP (E-
WASTE).
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California
recognizes that electronic scrap (e-waste) represents one of the fastest
growing and problematic components of the waste stream; and
WHEREAS, the presence of toxic lead, mercury, and other hazardous and
potentially hazardous materials in electronic waste poses a particular
threat to public health and the environment when improperly discarded;
and
WHEREAS, electronic products containing hazardous substances, such
as cathode ray tubes in most discarded computer monitors, television sets
must be managed and disposed of properly; and
WHEREAS, the infrastructure for electronic discards within California is
weak, under-funded, and inconsistent.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Palm Desert, California, as follows:
1. The City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California recognizes
there is a cost to managing e-waste, and that this cost is the
appropriate responsibility of the producers and consumers of
hazardous electronics, and not of local government, state
government, or taxpayers.
2. The City Council recommends management of electronic scrap and
the associated costs be internalized, by the producers and
consumers of hazardous electronics at or before purchase and not
at the point of discard.
3. The City Council encourages the State and Federal governments to
pass laws that:
• Establish programs for collection, recycling and proper
management of discarded CRT devices;
• Require funding from producers and/or consumers to the state
and local government for the support of collection, recycling and
r
REF '"TION NO. 03-67
proper management of discarded CRT devices and other e-
waste in an amount sufficient for those activities;
• Prohibit the devices from being exported for disposal in a
manner that poses a significant risk to the public health and/or
the environment.
• Encourages electronic retailers to provide for the safe, efficient
and convenient take-back of electronic products for which they
offer for sale, distribution, or lease;
• Development of systems for the recovery, reuse, and recycling
of hazardous electronics that are cost effective, consumer
friendly, and convenient in an effort to maintain a uniform and
cooperative recovery system.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 22 day of May , 2003, by
the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES: CRITES, KELLY, SPIEGEL, BENSON
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: FERGUSON
Jean M. Benson, Mayor
ATTESTED:
RACHELLE KLASSEN
CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT
I1I1iIII;J't
till " an"MI
via o
.-
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION
1414 K Street•Suite 600•Sacramento,CA 95814•(916)448-1198 „7 _1
February 24, 2003
Board of Directors Mayor Richard Kelly -� - •' - �'�
Councilmember Connie E.Stewart Palm Desert Civic Center
Chairperson t ) O�y
City of Arcata 73-510 Fred Waring Dr. -
Mayor Pro Tern Laura Pearson Palm Desert, CA 92260 N
Vice-Chairperson
City of Riverside
Re: Model -waste Recycling Ordinance
Councilmember Jake Mackenzie
Treasurer
City of Rohnert Park Dear May e' .e elly:
Mayor Pro Tem Maria L.Alegria
City of Pinole I want-• to bring to your attention an opportunity for local governments to take action to address
Councilmember Bill Baker the costly problem of toxic electronic waste(E-waste). The environmental group Californians
City of Taft
Against Waste(CAW), in consultation with local officials and recycling experts,has prepared a
Supervisor Roger Dickinson
County of Sacramento Model E-waste Recycling Ordinance that would require electronics retailers to provide customers
Councilmember Ramona Finnila with free take-back and recycling of obsolete electronics and is willing to assist in its adoption and
City of Carlsbad implementation.
Mayor Jesus J.Gamboa
City of Visalia As you are no doubt aware,most computer monitors and TV's contain toxic levels of lead and
Councilmember Marge Gobby mercury. Appropriately,the state has banned their disposal in solid waste landfills.But with no
Cityof Reedle h
Y
Supervisor Donna Gerber recycling infrastructure in place, and handling costs running$25-$50 per unit or$800 to $1000 per
County of Contra Costa ton,local governments have gotten stuck with the costly task of cleaning up this toxic mess.
Supervisor Kathy Long
County of Ventura California's current output of obsolete computer scrap ranges from$25 to$42 million annually.
Councilmember Pam O'Connor Add to that the cost of cleaning up the last two decades' legacy of stockpiled obsolete computers,
City of Santa Monica and the total cost over the next 5 years could easily reach over$1 billion.
Mayor Pro Tem Bev Perry
City of Brea
Legislation has again been introduced by State Senator Byron Sher(SB 20),to address the e-waste
MayCity of Pleasanton problem statewide.However, like last years SB 1523 which was vetoed by the Governor,this
Supervisor Harriet White measure will face strong opposition from electronics manufacturers and retailers. It may therefore
County of Placer be appropriate for communities to take individual action.
ExJecutiveudithA.Cor Directorbett Last week, LA City Council members Ruth Galanter and Eric Garcetti introduced a motion
directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance based on the model. SF Supervisor Sophie
Maxwell plans to introduce a similar ordinance in San Francisco later this month.
Your introduction of an E-waste recycling ordinance will:
• Demonstrate leadership on a cutting edge environmental issue;
• Signal support for a market-based approach to pollution prevention and clean-up;
• Provide a `no-cost-taxpayers' recycling option for your community if a statewide solution is not enacted.
CAW is prepared to support the introduction of these ordinances with local lobbying,media, and
organizing. I've worked with them in the past and have a great deal of respect for their
organization.
If you wish to introduce an e-waste recycling ordinance in your jurisdiction,we've enclosed the
model ordinance and other background materials.For more information, go to
www.cawrecycles.org or call Kevin Greene or Jessica Fiedor at CAW at(800)261-1486.
Sincerely,
•
fax: 916-448-8246 Judy o .ett
e-mail:lgc@lgc.org
web page:www.lcycled apex t� Over 20 Years of Building Livable Communities
Printed on recycled paper
1
2
ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER XXXX
3
TO THE CITY/COUNTY MUNICIPAL CODE
4
5 RELATIVE TO HAZARDOUS CATHODE RAY TUBE DEVICES
6
7 The City Council of the City/County ordains as follows:
8 Chapter XX is hereby added to the City/County Municipal Code to read as follows:
9 Chapter XX
1 o ELECTRONIC WASTE TAKE-BACK ORDINANCE
11
Sections:
12
1. Findings and Intent.
13
2. Definitions.
14
3. CRT Device Take-Back Requirements.
15
4. Procurement Language.
16
1 Section 1 Findings and Intent.
18 The [City/County of] finds and declares:
19 a. Electronic scrap represents one of the fastest growing and most problematic
20 components of California's waste stream.
21 b. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), more than 4.6
22 million tons of appliances and consumer electronics were discarded in 2000.
23 c. Due to the presence of toxic lead, mercury, and other hazardous and potentially
24
hazardous materials in electronic waste, these products pose a particular threat to
25
public health and the environment when improperly discarded.
- 1 -
1 d. About 70% of the heavy metals, and 40% of the lead, found in US landfills come
2 from electronic equipment discards, according to the US EPA.
3 e. Electronic products containing hazardous substances, such as the cathode ray
4
tubes in most discarded computer monitors and television sets, must be managed
5
and disposed of as hazardous waste,presenting a costly problem for local
6
governments and nonprofit organizations such as Goodwill Industries and the
7
Salvation Army.
8
9 f. A study by the National Safety Council suggests that three-quarters of all
10 computers ever purchased in the United States remain stockpiled in storerooms,
11 attics, garages, and basements.
12 g. A study conducted by the California Integrated Waste Management Board
13 estimates that California households currently have more than 6 million obsolete
14 computer monitors and television sets "stockpiled" in their homes.
15 h. It is further estimated that more than 10,000 computers become obsolete in
16
California every day.
17
i. The current recycling infrastructure for electronic discards is weak, under-funded,
18
and inconsistent.
19
j. The City/County recognizes that there is a cost associated with the proper and
20
legal management of hazardous electronic scrap, and that this cost is the
21
22 appropriate responsibility of the producers and consumers of hazardous
23 electronics, and not local government, state government, or taxpayers.
24 k. To reduce the likelihood of illegal disposal of these hazardous materials, it is the
25 intent of the City/County that any costs associated with the proper management
of electronic scrap be internalized by the producers and consumers of hazardous
electronics at or before the point of purchase, and not at the point of discard.
- 2 -
SUMMARY OF MODEL HAZARDOUS ELECTRONIC WASTE
TAKE-BACK ORDINANCE
The onerous costs associated with the proper and legal management of hazardous
electronic scrap is the appropriate responsibility of the producers and consumers of those
devices, and not local government, state government, or taxpayers.
Take-Back:
Effective January 1, 2004, any seller of hazardous CRT devices shall do the following:
1. Take-Back, or arrange for the free return of hazardous CRT devices from any resident
of this jurisdiction as specified;
2. Create and maintain a public education program to promote the recovery, reuse, and
recycling of hazardous electronic scrap;
3. Properly collect and handle hazardous CRT devices as required by the California
Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Procurement:
This local agency shall require each prospective seller of hazardous CRT devices to the
agency to certify that it, and its affiliates, abide by the requirements of this ordinance and
take-back their products free of charge.
Failure to provide this certification will render the seller ineligible for contract. If a
person is awarded a contract by the local agency and is found to be in violation of this
ordinance, their contract will be voided.
Sunset Clause
This ordinance shall become inoperative if a State and/or Federal law takes effect that:
1. Establishes a program for the collection, recycling, and proper management of
CRT devices;
2. Provides revenue to the state to support the collection, recycling, and proper
management of CRT devices in amounts that are sufficient for those activities;
3. Requires CRT manufacturers, retailers, handlers, processors, and recyclers to
handle those devices in a manner that is in compliance with all applicable federal,
state, and local regulations, and
4. Prohibits the devices from being exported for disposal in a manner that poses a
significant risk to the public health and/or the environment.
1 1. It is the intent of the City/County that the manufacturers of hazardous electronics,
2 in working to meet the goals and objectives of this chapter, work cooperatively
3
with each other in order to develop and promote a safe and effective electronics
4
scrap recovery, reuse, and recycling system for California.
5
M. It is further the intent of the City/County that the producers of electronic CRT
6
devices, reduce and ultimately phase out the use of hazardous materials in those
7
products, to the extent feasible.
e
n. It is further the intent of the City/County that electronic CRT devices be designed
1 o for extended life, repair, and reuse, to the greatest extent feasible.
11 o. It is further the intent of the City/County that electronic retail establishments
12 provide for the safe, efficient and convenient take-back of similar products for
13 which they offer for sale, distribution, lease or conveyance.
14 p. It is further the intent of the City/County that systems and procedures for the
15 recovery of hazardous electronic scrap be at least as convenient to consumers as
16
the existing sale and distribution of hazardous electronic devices to consumers.
1'7
q. It is the intent of the City/County that retailers of hazardous electronic, in order to
18
maintain the most convenient, cost effective, and consumer friendly recovery,
19
reuse, and recycling system, be strongly encouraged to work in partnership with
20
others in the hazardous electronic device retail industry to create and maintain a
21
22 uniform and cooperative recovery system.
23 Section 2 Definitions.
2 4 Unless otherwise expressly stated, whenever used in this chapter,the following terms
25 shall have the meanings set forth below:
a. "CRT device"means any computer monitor, television set, or any consumer
product, component, or device that contains a cathode ray tube.
— 3 —
1 b. "Hazardous CRT device" means any consumer product, component, or device that
2 contains a cathode ray tube which contains lead, mercury, or any other persistent
3 bioaccumulative toxin, as determined by the Department of Toxic Substances
4
Control, including, but not limited to,televisions,video monitors, computer
5
monitors;-and any other device that has one or more cathode ray tubes containing
6
lead.
c. "Hazardous electronic scrap" means a hazardous electronic device that has been
8
discarded.
9
3.0 d. "City" or"City/County" means all that territory within the incorporated area of
11 the City/County, State of California.
12 e. "Electronics retailer" shall mean all sales outlets, stores, shops, vehicles or other
13 places of business located in the City/County which operate to sell or convey
14 hazardous CRT devices directly to the ultimate consumer. "Electronic Retail
15 establishment" shall include, but not be limited to, any place where electronic
16
products are sold, distributed, leased or conveyed.
1"1
Section 3 Establishment of No-Cost Retailer Take-Back of all Hazardous CRT Devices:
18
On and after January 1,2004, every electronics retailer in the City/County shall:
19
A. Establish or arrange to be established a non-cost Consumer Take-Back System for
20
accepting hazardous CRT devices similar to those hazardous CRT devices, sold,
21
22 distributed, leased or otherwise conveyed to the public by the electronic retailer. The
23 Consumer Take-back System must consist of, but not be limited to, at least one of the
24 following options:
25 1. No-cost acceptance of hazardous CRT devices at the site of purchase from any
resident of the City/County.
1 2. No-cost consumer mail-back of a hazardous CRT device to a registered electronic
2 waste recycling facility for any consumer purchasing a CRT device from the
3 electronics retailer in the previous 90 days.
4
3. No-cost pick-up in the City/County of a hazardous CRT device scrap from any
5
consumer purchasing a CRT device from the electronics retailer in the previous 90
6
days.
7
4. Establishment and operation of a no-cost drop-off facility in the City/County
8
9 accepting hazardous electronic scrap for reuse and/or recycling from any resident
10 of City/County.
11 B. Maintain a toll-free telephone number or Internet website, or both, where consumers can
for returninghaz
ardous electronic scrap
obtain information on the no-cost opportunities
13 for reuse or recycling.
14 C. Create and maintain a public education program to promote the recovery and reuse and
15 recycling of hazardous electronic scrap.
16
D. Ensure that each unit of hazardous electronic waste is properly collected and recycled,
17
and forward documentation supporting that claim, as required by the California
18
Department of Toxic Substances Control.
19
E. This Chapter shall become inoperative if the following occurs:
20
1. A State or Federal law, or combination of State or Federal laws,takes effect and
21
22 does all of the following:
23 a. Establishes a program for the collection, recycling, and proper disposal of
24 CRT devices that is applicable to all CRT devices sold.
25 b. Provides revenue to the state to support the collection, recycling and
proper disposal of CRT devices, in amounts that are sufficient for proper
collection, recycling and disposal.
- 5 -
1 c. Requires CRT device manufacturers, retailers, handlers, processors, and
2 recyclers to dispose of those devices in a manner that is in compliance
3 with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regulations and
4
ordinances, and prohibits the devices from being exported for disposal in a
5
manner that poses a significant risk to the public health or the
6
environment.
7
Section 4 Procurement Language
8
9 A. Any prospective bidder of CRT equipment, materials, or supplies to City/County shall
10 certify that it, and its agents, subsidiaries, partners,joint venturers, and subcontractors for
11 the procurement, take-back the products they have sold to their customers in City/County,
12 including those items sold over the Internet, free of charge, or demonstrate that this
provision is inapplicable to all lines of business engaged in by the bidder, its agents,
13
14 subsidiaries, partners,joint venturers, or subcontractors. Failure to provide the
15 certification shall render the prospective bidder and its agents, subsidiaries, partners,joint
16 venturers, and subcontractors ineligible to bid on the procurement.
17 B. The bid solicitation documents shall specify that the prospective bidder is required to
18 cooperate fully in providing reasonable access to its records and documents that evidence
19 their compliance with this section.
20 C. Any person awarded a contract by the city/county agency that is found to be in violation
21 of this section is subject to the following sanctions:
22 1. The contract shall be voided by the City/County agency to which the equipment,
23 materials, or supplies were provided.
24 2. The contractor is ineligible to bid on any City/County contract for a minimum
25 period of three years.
- 6 -
iii)
REUTERS
t: w
NEWS AND FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE FROM THE WORLD LEADER
TVs, PC monitors should be recycled -L.A. official
02.13.03
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A proposal $1.50 a day to dismantle the scrap
that would require electronics retailers without protective gear.
to set up recycling for discarded
televisions and computer monitors, the In early 2002 Californians Against
first proposed law of its kind in the Waste estimated that between 50
United States, has been introduced by percent and 80 percent of the "e-
a Los Angeles city official, its backer waste" collected for recycling in the
said Thursday. western United States was placed on
container ships and sent to places like
Concerned about toxic waste from China for recycling.
discarded TVs and monitors, Los
Angeles City Council member Ruth Galanter's motion also noted that the
Galanter introduced a motion before proper disposal of so-called e-waste
the council this week requiring any can cost anywhere from $800 to
retailer who sells TVs or monitors to $1,000 per ton, with the city often
take back or arrange for the return of bearing those costs.
"hazardous electronic scrap" as of Jan.
1, 2004, a spokeswoman said Late last year California Governor Gray
Thursday. Davis vetoed a bill that would have
added a tax to the sale of certain
The Consumer Electronics Association, electronic devices to cover their
the nation's largest trade group eventual disposal and recycling.
representing the industry, has
condemned similar proposals but could The city council passed an ordinance
not be immediately reached for last year supporting the bill and calling
comment Thursday. for a city ordinance on "e-waste"
recycling if the state bill did not
Under the Los Angeles proposal, the become law.
retailers would be responsible for the
proper recycling of the "e-waste," The Consumer Electronics Association,
which a spokeswoman for Galanter the nation's largest trade group
said would be the first program of its representing the industry, condemned
kind in the nation. the bill and said at the time it was
working on alternatives.
The California Department of Toxic
Substances Control already prohibits "Our industry is working hard to
landfills from accepting certain provide Californians with several
components of TVs and monitors immediate options to help with the
because of the presence of elements creation of a recycling infrastructure,"
like lead, cadmium and mercury that CEA Chief Executive Gary Shapiro said
can pose health risks. in October.
At a press conference Wednesday, Los
Angeles councilman Eric Garcetti
claimed electronic waste from Los
Angeles was making its way to China,
where he said workers were being paid
Daily News
Electronics recycling proposed
By Marie! Garza
Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - Two members of the Los Angeles City Council proposed
an ordinance Wednesday to require retailers to take back obsolete televisions and computer
monitors and figure out how to recycle or reuse them.
The electronic equipment contains toxins such as mercury, cadmium and chromium 6, and
may not be deposited in California landfills. They often are stored in garages, dumped
illegally in the city or unwittingly taken to landfills, said council members Ruth Galanter and
Eric Garcetti, who want the recycling policy to take effect next year.
"There is poison right now that lurks on our desks," Garcetti said, noting that the city has
not yet figured out how to deal with the thousands of pieces of electronic equipment
discarded by Angelenos each year.
Kevin Green, a representative of Californians Against Waste, joined the council members for
their announcement. He said this would be the first ordinance of its kind in the nation and
applauded Galanter and Garcetti for supporting it.
Although the proposed ordinance would put the burden on retailers and manufacturers,
Galanter said the hope is that it sparks a cottage industry to make money off the materials
in old electronic equipment, similar to how efforts to recycle bottles and cans created a
recycled material market.
Galanter acknowledged that the effort is going to take some public education, as there's no
financial incentive for residents to lug heavy electronic equipment across town.
"We're hoping people are going to do the right thing," Galanter said.
cArilfy7
CALIFORNIANS - GA1NST WISTE
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CALIFORNIA E-WASTE
RECOVERY AND RECYCLING PROPOSAL:
The growing public health and environmental threat posed by toxic electronic waste (e-waste)
demands an immediate and sustainable solution, one that does not fall on the backs of local
government and taxpayers. At the same time, high tech plays an important role in California's
economy and society. It is essential that a solution be market-based without unnecessarily inhibiting
technological improvement, growth and innovation.
Governor Gray Davis echoed these same principles and objectives in September when he wrote: "I
challenge the industry to lead the way and devise an innovative solution for the source reduction,
recycling and safe disposal of electronic waste."
Among the objectives articulated by Governor Davis:
• Provide incentives to design products that are less toxic and more recyclable.
• Make sure California's electronic waste is not irresponsibly sent to underdeveloped nations.
• Building a state bureaucracy to address this problem is not the best solution.
• We should compel industry to solve this problem.
• California needs a comprehensive and innovative state law that partners with product
manufacturers, establishes recycling targets, and provides for the safe recycling and disposal of
electronic waste.
• California should have a new law in 2003.
Building on the objectives proposed by the Governor, we would add the following:
• Educate consumers regarding the hazards posed by obsolete electronics and their proper
management.
• Reduce and ideally eliminate concentrations of hazardous materials in consumer electronics.
• Encourage design of electronic products for extended life,reuse and recycling without
compromising performance.
• Develop sustainable markets for the reuse and recycling of obsolete electronic products.
• Put an end to the current illegal disposal of hazardous electronics both here and abroad through
increased recovery and recycling.
• Achieve these objectives cost effectively without further burdening taxpayers.
926 J STREET• SUITE 606• SACRAMENTO. CALIFORNIA 95814 • (916) 443-5422 • FAX: (916) 443-3912
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A MARKET-BASED E-WASTE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING PROPOSAL: SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS
1) Require labeling of all hazardous electronics effective January 1, 2004, to include:
a) A warning statement listing the hazardous materials contained in the device;
b) A statement regarding the proper management of obsolete devices;
c) Information on how/where to recycle devices (800 number or website).
2) Require all manufacturers of hazardous electronics to either:
a) Establish a free and convenient consumer take-back system approved by the Waste Board and
capable of achieving the recovery/recycling goals, and a public education system, or
b) Pay an Advanced Recovery Fee to offset local/state recovery/recycling costs. Funds would be
used to offset local government and private collection, cleanup and recycling.
3) Establish the following recovery and recycling goals for hazardous electronic scrap:
Year Recovery Recycling
2005 80% 25%
2007 95% 50%
2010 95% 75%
4) Require the establishment of a deposit system if recovery/recycling goals are not being met.
5) Establish a cathode ray tube hazardous waste cleanup fee of$10, effective January 1, 2004, on the
sale of all new CRT devices in the state to offset local government costs for managing legacy
devices for which the manufacturer is no longer in business. Retailers and manufacturers may retain
a small portion of this fee to offset administrative costs.
6) Require all state agencies to purchase products only from those companies that have complied with
these requirements.
7) Ban the export of hazardous electronic scrap to non-OECD countries (i.e. developing countries), as
defined by the Basel Ban Amendment of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary
Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal.
A comprehensive e-waste measure should target all electronic devices containing any amount of
hazardous material as determined by the State Department of Toxic Substances Control. To date, that
list includes: Computer monitors, televisions, or other devices containing Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs),
most batteries, and fluorescent lamps.
The program should be administered by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, in
coordination with other state agencies, including the Department of Toxic Substances Control,the
Department of Conservation, and the State Board of Equalization.
.
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Ci 1 iltf ''''' r'''''''''*7 1 1 ''':'-.•P'''''''' ' "I am very troubled by an
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pollution problem in
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& 1.,.. California, as well as
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4- -.,. I am equally disturbed that
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,i'". this dangerous cargo is
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being sent to
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underdeveloped nations
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exposing children to
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We should compel industry
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to solve this problem."
.
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Governor Gray Davis
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computer monitors and TVs from our .. . - — ' '. 4
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is has banned comp by the hazardous k
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0
landfills
posed
landfills due to the seeodus threat
in ea ht p it. ., -
levels of lead contain .
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However, 'sham'
recyclers are `"
exporting banned _,. :�
CRTs to developing Irk
exploiting
cheap labor and the
lack of environmental
or public health Child from Hunan province sits atop one of countless piles s • '
regulations. u Child
computer waste imported from around the world
where �`�,
t in China has become an e-waste cxic electrhere ., ,
The areato dismantle to
1 .50 per day
�' 1 laborers are paidprotective gear or clothing.
by hand with no P ..
have dismantled the
'� u says '.After they dayvillagers . .
A man from Guiy parts. Every . . ,j
computers, they burn the useless
inhale this dirty air; their
bodies have become
weak
_ . , , -�r Now water has tol be es
imported to the g }
from miles away. the and
children are often
illfillip `; ' the schools are often
`a closed due to
tdomen picking through wires torn out of computers
unbreathable air. . .
an internationalITV
Most of the worlds countries have signed ,4
export of hazardous materials, including R
treaty banning the 4�_ �•
in world because of the serious 4�a
�" toxic e-scrap,
to the developing
public health and the environment. The us has
threat to agreement v �,� -
refused to ratify this �� �
F
Californians Against Waste
Protecting the World's Virgin Resources .
Call 800-261 -1468 or visit www.cawrecycles.org
r
r;lE LJfli IFJilillil JJLI r
J�I�,'1
The growing public health and environmental
electronic waste demands an immediate threat
The Producersand sustainable posed
olution by fc
must take responsibility for developing
system
local government and taxpayers, y tem that doesg
financing amarket-based recycling oand
f burden
and does not inhibit technological
growth and innovation.
Governor Gray Davis echoed these same principles in September
when he wrote:
"I challenge the industry to lead the
devise an innovative solution for the way and
recycling and safe disposal of electronic reduction
waste."
supported
This challenge is
nonprofit recyclers, and envirr nmen gby loovernments, private and
talists.
The key elements of the California e-wa
the Governor and other ste solution called for by
� • supporters would:
`
• Provide incentives to
recyclable. make products less toxic and
so. 4 .. • more
Ensure our electronic waste is not sent
' • Compel industry to solve theproblem
• to poor nations.
ucate consumers about haards this
,% year.
Reduce & ideally eliminate hazardous
by
dons materiialsentr electronics.
Encourage industryelectronic
life, reuse & rec to design electronic products for s.
• recycling extended
3 v' • Developg without compromising
sustainable markets for recycled obsolete performance.electronics.
s • End illegal disposal of hazardous electronics
• Achieve these ssolve electronics.
here and abroad.
objectives without burdening taxpayers.
The California E-Waste Solution_
Producers of consumer electronic
develop and finance a free and co s must
for the rec nvenient sUstem
Ucling of hazardous e-waste-
is solve the e-Waste crisis for California and the world
'asel Action Network
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components of : : 4 °�
-1-as l' n-L-Ictitiniti LIAit .,:,.,,,,.. .,4,,, ,:., .1,...„0,.,
rowing � � -
Electronic waste is one of the
ccord fastest
to the US Environmental
California's waste stream. A
Protection Agency, more than 4.6
million tons were discarded in
•
It's hazardous — at home& i. . " z
1
abroad: Due to the presence of ,� .
and other ;
toxic lead, mercury, , *a�
electronic A .
dr,'
hazardous materials, z
waste threatens public health � F ;
and the environment. It's even 4-461,
w� � _
in nations,
worse in developing
is "recycled" in an T�' _ ���
where a-waste fashion. � -
« �>:-
unsafe and unhealthy t' s;c '* ` 4
A study :•► � a
Six million stockpiled .
conducted by the California a _,
Waste Management Board estimates thatu alifornia v
Integrated ..,K
households have more than-6 million obsolete computer
` :
lied in their homes;
it -
monitors and television sets stockpiled A National Safety Council
than 10,000 loin them every
of all computers ever -
repot found that three-quarters
in the United States remain stockpiled.
purchasedtaxpayers
If nothing is done,
Current policy hurts taxpayers..will have to subsidize the
collection and handling of e-
waste at a contAdd toOhat
$ to
1000 per to
the cost of cleaning up the
�` ` � last two decades' legacy of
stockpiled machines, and the
Is
* - `e l could easily reach over i
�� ;- A�iNtwr
, � total
Si billion. r �y
:� ` ��``_ ' impeded computes
Massive amounts of dumping of p h
k; : I. . R 1 plastic n
�«:,,�. _ `�° ,�,ate' r ,� 4. .. e
Help Californians Against Waltn+ tc�vernar Gray D
All photos courtesy.,