HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS - 01012002 - 2002-338 7
In the Matter of Supporting Legislation }
Requiring Environmentally Responsible }
Disposal and Recycling of Computer Equipment } RESOLUTION NO.2002/338
WHEREAS, electronic discards are an increasing problem, with more than 6AW computers
becoming obsolete in California every day and 3.2 million tons of electronic waste ending up in United
States landfills annually;and
WHEREAS, electronics contain lead, cadmium,'mercury, hexavalent chromium, polyvinyl
chloride,brominated flame retardant and other materials which can pose hazards to human health and
environment when handled improperly;and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Toxic Substance Control recently affirmed that
discarded cathode ray tubes,such as those found in televisions and computer monitors,and hazardous
materials and therefore prohibited from municipal landfills,increasing concerns regarding their proper
disposal cost and liabilities;and
WHEREAS,only 14%of the personal computers that became obsolete in 1998 were recycled or
refurbished;and
WHEREAS,extended producer responsibility principles,such as those being adopted by several
countries and the European Union, and contained in the attached Extended Producer Responsibility
Principles for Electronics,will foster the development of sustainable design and recovery of electronic
equipment by s�the burden of responsibility for disposal from the government,rate payers and
taxpayers back to the manufacturers,distributors and consumers of such products,where it properly
belongs,in part by internalizing life cycle costs in the price of such products.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,that the Board of.Supervisors of Contra Costa County
supports the aforementioned Extended Producer Responsibility Principles fori Electronics and hereby
urges its state assembly members and senators,by receipt of this resolution, to support proposed
legislation,SB•1523(Sher)and SB-1619(Romero)requh*tgconilputer,andelecftonic producers to operate
or fund comprehensive+ 4ended prbduc r respons�b3lity programs whereby pRroducts are sustainable
designed ante labeled, consumers receive a financial incentive for proper disposal, a convenient
collection'infrastructure yielding,a high rate of recovery is created,and environmentally sound reuse
followed bycycling',
isi num zed.
PASSED by a unanimous`vote of the Board of Supervisors members present this 4th day of,tune
2002.
VV
Chair
District I Supervisor
AYLE B. A DON A ERBER
District II Supervisor District upervisor
MARK DeSAULNIER FEDERAL D.GLOVER
District IV Supervisor District V Supervisor
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct
copy of an action taken and entered on the
minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the
date shown:
ATTESTED: June 4,2002
JOHN SWEETEN, Clerk of the Board of
Super and County Administrator
Introduced by Supervisor Donna Gerber