Brief Description: Prohibiting hazardous electronic material from being disposed of in a solid waste landfill.

Sponsors: Representatives Cooper, Campbell, Hunt, Romero, O'Brien, Chase, Sullivan, Ruderman, Dunshee, Wood, Dickerson, Moeller and Morrell.

Hearing Date: 1/23/04

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

The Department of Ecology (Department) is the state agency assigned the responsibility of managing the state's solid and hazardous wastes. Local jurisdictions adopt local ordinances for the management of solid and hazardous wastes that may not be less stringent than state standards, but may include additional requirements. Some landfills in Washington, for example Snohomish County, have adopted policies not to accept certain electronic products as universal waste in their landfill.

The Department issued a policy notice for computer monitors, televisions, and other devices that contain cathode ray tubes (CRT's). Under current regulations, materials designated as dangerous waste, such as CRTs, must be handled, treated, and recycled differently than universal waste. Items that contain CRT's contain high amounts of lead, which categorizes these items as hazardous waste. The disposal regulations that a hazardous waste disposer must meet increases in complexity with the net weight of the hazardous waste being disposed. The CRT policy declares that the Department will suspend their enforcement authority over CRT items if the disposers follow certain guidelines. This policy is designed to remain in place until permanent rules can be developed on the subject.

Summary of Bill:

Persons may not dispose of covered electronic products in a landfill, incinerator, or energy recovery facility effective January 1, 2006. Covered electronic products include televisions, computer monitors, and computer central processing units.

Hazardous electronic material is defined as a covered electronic product with concentrations of toxic materials exceeding federal regulatory levels. Landfills, incinerators, or energy recovery facilities may not knowingly accept hazardous electronic material. Covered electronic products are assumed to be hazardous electronic material unless they are proven not to contain concentrations of toxic materials exceeding federal regulatory standards.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.