BILL ANALYSIS ------------------------------------------------------------ |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1619| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |1020 N Street, Suite 524 | | |(916) 445-6614 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ------------------------------------------------------------ THIRD READING Bill No: SB 1619 Author: Romero (D), et al Amended: 5/8/02 Vote: 21 SENATE ENV. QUALITY COMMITTEE : 5-1, 4/22/02 AYES: Sher, McPherson, Chesbro, Figueroa, Kuehl NOES: McClintock SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 8-4, 5/23/02 AYES: Alpert, Bowen, Escutia, Karnette, McPherson, Murray, Perata, Speier NOES: Battin, Johannessen, Johnson, Poochigian SUBJECT : Solid waste: cathode ray tubes and CRT devices SOURCE : Californians Against Waste DIGEST : This bill, in conjunction with SB 1523 (Sher), establishes a program to recover, reuse, and recycle cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and CRT devices, as defined. ANALYSIS : Under this bill, the Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB) could use the funds in the Cathode Ray Tube Recycling Account (Account), established in SB 1523 (Sher), which is also on the Senate Floor, for the same purposes listed in SB 1523 (Sher). These include: (1) matching grant funds to local governments to establish and maintain convenient and cost-effective collection and processing of CRTs and CRT devices; (2) providing annual recycling incentive payments to CRT handlers; (3) providing CONTINUED SB 1619 Page 2 grants to nonprofit organizations that refurbish CRTs and CRT devices; (4) providing grants to manufacturers to encourage consumers to return the devices; (5) establishing a public information program; and (6) funding the Department of Toxic Substances Control's (DTSC's) enforcement activities and regulations. This bill makes legislative findings and declarations, and states the goals of the state regarding the diversion, reuse, and recycling of CRTs and CRT devices. This bill requires by January 1, 2004, that all CRTs and CRT devices, and packaging containing those tubes or devices, include a clear and conspicuous label of a size and format approved by the Department of Toxic Substance Control that contains the following: (1) a warning statement approved by DTSC stating that the CRT device contains one or more hazardous materials, the disposal of which may pose a threat to the environment and public health; (2) a list of the hazardous materials; and (3) information on how to properly discard CRTs. Comments : 1. Purpose of bill . According to the author's office, DTSC has determined that Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) including all televisions and computer monitors are hazardous when disposed of because of the lead content and therefore cannot be disposed of in California landfills. This ruling applies to more than 6 million CRTs that are awaiting disposal in California homes and businesses. There is no infrastructure or funding in place to handle this kind of discarded material. The author points out that local governments operate household hazardous waste facilities to collect and process hazardous materials. Typically they collect paint, cleansers, batteries, automotive products, and other hazardous materials found in homes. They have never collected CRTs and they have no infrastructure in place to do so. Costs for dealing with the existing 6 million CRTs awaiting disposal are estimated to be near $1 billion. The ongoing costs of e-scrap is estimated to be roughly $50 million annually. SB 1619 Page 3 2. Electronic waste or "E-Waste" and CRT's defined . According to information from the CIWMB and DTSC websites: "E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their 'useful life.' Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. Unfortunately, electronic discards is one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste stream. In addition, some researchers estimate that nearly 75 percent of old electronics are in storage, in part because of the uncertainty over how to manage the materials. Combine this with increasing advances in technology and new products headed towards the market and it is no wonder that "E-waste" is a popular topic." The term "E-waste" is loosely applied to consumer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life. There is no clear definition for E-waste; for instance, whether or not items like microwave ovens and other similar "appliances" should be grouped into the category have not yet been determined. Certain components of some electronic products contain materials that render them hazardous, depending on their condition and density. For instance, California regulation currently views nonfunctioning CRTs (cathode ray tubes) from televisions and monitors as hazardous." CRTs, often called "picture tubes," convert an electronic signal into a visual image. A typical CRT contains between two and five pounds of lead. Lead is a toxic substance which may cause lead poisoning and can be especially harmful to young children. If products containing lead are disposed of to the trash, the lead can potentially contaminate the soil and our water supplies. When tested, most CRT's exceed the regulatory threshold for lead and are identified as hazardous waste when discarded. Waste CRTs are subject to hazardous waste regulations which went into effect August 3, 2001. The regulations protect the environment by promoting the safe collection and recycling of waste CRT's. Disposing of CRTs to the trash or to a municipal landfill is prohibited." SB 1619 Page 4 NOTE: See Senate Environmental Quality Committee analysis for further comments. FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: Yes Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No SUPPORT : (Verified 5/23/02) Californians Against Waste (source) Alameda County Waste Management Authority Allied Waste, Inc. Berkeley City Council California Earth Corps California Refuse Removal Council California State Association of Counties City and County of San Francisco Cities of Costa Mesa, Milpitas, Morro Bay City Council and Santa Ana County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County Davis City Council East Bay Municipal Utility District League of California Cities Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force National Council of Jewish Women/LA Norcal Waste Systems, Inc. Republic Services, Inc. Planning and Conservation League Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Sierra Club Solid Waste Association of North America California Chapters Waste Management, Inc. 14 individuals OPPOSITION : (Verified 5/23/02) American Electronics Association California Chamber of Commerce California Manufacturers and Technology Association Computing Technology Industry Association Electronic Industries Alliance SB 1619 Page 5 Hewlett-Packard Company Osram Sylvania Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group CP:jk 5/24/02 Senate Floor Analyses SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE **** END ****