SENATE BILL REPORT

SJM 8023

BYSenators Metcalf, Kreidler, Garrett, Gaspard, Anderson, Rinehart, Bauer and Lee

Requesting a Western States Recycling Coalition.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 20, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 8023 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Patterson, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                  January 21, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, JANUARY 20, 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 makes 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, Oregon, and California to send delegates to a National Conference of State Legislators meeting for the purpose of drafting an interstate compact to form a western states recycling coalition.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

State delegates are requested to attend a NCSL meeting convening in Reno, Nevada, on July 25.  A delegate from Idaho is requested to participate in the drafting of the interstate compact.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: No one