SENATE BILL REPORT

SHJM 4036

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Valle, May, Rust, Brekke, Jacobsen, Pruitt, Anderson, Todd, Lux and Ferguson)

Requesting a Western States Recycling Coalition.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Many products commonly used today pose serious disposal problems.  Plastics and styrofoam generally do not biodegrade and may emit toxic emissions when incinerated.  Batteries contain large amounts of lead which is toxic at very small concentrations and cannot be safely landfilled or burned.  Even newsprint contains significant quantities of lead and cadmium which make it unsuitable for landfills and incinerators.

State and local governments face drastically increasing disposal costs due in part to the widespread use of materials and products with no readily available and environmentally acceptable means of disposal.  Individual states have been largely unsuccessful in affecting manufacturers use of materials which pose disposal problems. 

Several of the New England states have formed a coalition to lobby Congress to pass legislation favorable to recycling and also to encourage manufacturers to use materials which can be disposed of safely and economically.  The Joint Select Committee for Preferred Solid Waste Management has recommended that Washington work with other western states to develop a similar recycling coalition.

SUMMARY:

The resolution requests the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and California to send delegates to a National Conference of State Legislatures meeting for the purpose of drafting an interstate compact to form a western states recycling coalition.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative May (for)