PRINTER'S NO. 3943
No. 723 Session of 2006
INTRODUCED BY MANN, THOMAS, ARGALL, BALDWIN, BEBKO-JONES,
BELARDI, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CLYMER, CRAHALLA,
DENLINGER, DeWEESE, FICHTER, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GOODMAN,
GRUCELA, HERSHEY, HESS, JOSEPHS, KOTIK, LEACH, LEDERER,
LEVDANSKY, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MUNDY, NAILOR, PALLONE, PARKER,
PAYNE, PHILLIPS, REICHLEY, RUBLEY, SAINATO, SAMUELSON,
SAYLOR, SEMMEL, SHANER, SIPTROTH, B. SMITH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY,
TIGUE, WALKO, WILT, WOJNAROSKI AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 25, 2006
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
APRIL 25, 2006
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Department of Environmental Protection to identify
2 and implement policies which encourage the use of current
3 electronic waste recycling programs and expand existing
4 programs.
5 WHEREAS, Consumer electronics, including computers, monitors,
6 televisions, audio equipment, printers and other electronic
7 devices, are characterized by rapidly evolving technology and a
8 relatively short product life; and
9 WHEREAS, The average lifespan of computers is two to three
10 years, and discarded computers are the fastest growing part of
11 our waste stream; and
12 WHEREAS, Electronic waste comprises 1% to 4% of the municipal
13 solid waste in the United States; and
14 WHEREAS, Although electronic waste recycling is a growing
15 industry, only 6% of personal computers were recycled in 1998
1 compared to more than 64% of other goods which are recycled
2 annually in the United States; and
3 WHEREAS, Currently 75% of recycled electronic waste is
4 derived from electronics manufacturers and large organizations
5 with more than 500 employees, with households recycling only a
6 negligible amount; and
7 WHEREAS, Electronic waste contains metals which can become
8 hazardous and negatively impact our health and environment if
9 not properly managed or contained; and
10 WHEREAS, These metals include cadmium, a toxic substance
11 which can damage kidneys, lead, which can damage central and
12 peripheral nervous systems, blood systems and kidneys and which
13 severely impacts neurological development in children, and
14 mercury, which can cause brain damage; and
15 WHEREAS, Electronic waste recycling programs are currently
16 operating in 33 of the 67 counties in this Commonwealth; and
17 WHEREAS, It is imperative that the Commonwealth take
18 additional steps to address potential environmental pollutants
19 and health hazards by significantly increasing the amount of
20 recycled electronic waste generated by individuals and
21 households; therefore be it
22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
23 Department of Environmental Protection to take appropriate steps
24 to identify and implement policies which encourage the use of
25 existing electronic waste recycling options and which expand
26 electronic waste recycling efforts in this Commonwealth.
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