Olympia, Wash.—Environmental
groups are hailing the final passage of legislation that will begin to address
the increasing problem of electronic waste in Washington and are urging Gov.
Locke to sign it into law. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2488 (ESHB 2488),
which passed the House of Representatives 94-0, passed the Senate by a vote
of 48-0. Sponsored by Rep. Mike Cooper (Edmonds), ESHB 2488 would require
the Department of Ecology to work with electronics manufacturers and retailers,
local governments, environmental groups, and others to develop recommendations
for financing and implementing a statewide solution for collecting, recycling,
and reusing obsolete computers and TVs.
"With more and more obsolete electronic products piling up every day,
the state urgently needs to find a solution. We are really pleased the Legislature
recognized the urgency of the situation and passed the bill. Now all that
awaits is the governor’s signature," said Robert Pregulman of the
Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG).
ESHB 2488 would require Ecology, business, local governments, environmental
organizations, and others to examine current electronic product recycling
programs in the state, encourage pilot programs as needed, and research different
approaches for financing a collection and recycling system. Ecology must submit
its recommendations by December 2004 and December 2005.
"This bill is a win for both the environment and the economy," said
Suellen Mele of Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation. "Computer
and TV recycling programs help create jobs and keep harmful toxic products
out of the environment."
Electronic equipment contains lead, mercury, brominated flame retardants and
other hazardous substances that pose a threat to human health and the environment
when improperly disposed. In 2002, an estimated 1.7 million monitors, computers
and TVs from residents and small businesses became obsolete in Washington
State. Responsibly recycling this equipment would cost an estimated $25 million.
Environmental groups and other proponents of ESHB 2488 want computer and TV
manufacturers to finance the collection and recycling programs for the products
they sell, creating a financial incentive for them to design products that
are less toxic and easier to recycle.
"Why shouldn’t manufacturers share the responsibility of properly
recycling and disposing of their products? If a product is hazardous to the
environment and public health, we expect consumers to handle it properly.
It is only fair that manufacturers help provide consumers with easy, no-cost
recycling options," said Pregulman.
Environmental groups are also concerned about the export of hazardous electronic
waste.
"Much of the electronic
waste collected in the United States for recycling goes to developing countries
such as China, where much of it is handled in ways that pose a major threat
to human health and the environment," said Sarah Westervelt of the Basel
Action Network, a local environmental group. ESHB 2488 requires assessing
the quantities of electronic waste being exported from Washington, as well
as looking at compliance with national laws in the destination countries.
"This legislation is a positive step towards making this important issue
more visible."
Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation is a nonprofit, citizen-based
advocacy group working to keep Washington a leader in waste reduction and
recycling.
WashPIRG is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization
dedicated to environmental protection, consumer rights, and good government.
