Committee approves bill to create statewide electronic-waste recovery program

The committee adopted an amendment and approved Senate Bill 585 to establish a statewide electronic-waste (e-waste) recovery program that would require recovery plans, regional collection centers and contractor certification under the Department of Energy and Environment (DEQ).

Senator Wallace explained the bill and the committee accepted an amendment that removed certain wording (transcript: "environmental management system" and "occupational health and safety"). Craig Douglas, director of a regional recycling district, testified that e-waste is the fastest-growing portion of the state's waste stream, contains hazardous components such as lead and mercury, and that e-waste accounts for a large share of hazardous waste in landfills. Douglas said the state recorded 6,000 tons of e-waste collected in the last measurement period (02/2019), representing about 2% of e-waste, which the transcript interprets to imply many more tons are going into landfills.

Under the bill as described, DEQ would issue an RFQ for a contract administrator 30 days after the act starts; that administrator would oversee requests for qualifications for contractors to run collection and recovery operations. Sponsors said the program would be market-based and use private industry and could allow refurbished computers to be made available to school districts.

The committee approved the amendment and the bill by voice vote.