Contact: Mark Miller
For Immediate Release 608-266-9170
ASSEMBLY ADVANCES ELECTRONICS RECYCLING BILL
SB 107 Returned to the Senate to Vote on Amendments

The Assembly today approved a bill to address the mounting problem of
household electronics waste in
Wisconsin. Senate Bill 107, authored by Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona)
and co-sponsored by Rep.
Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton) bans certain covered electronics
from landfills and requires manufacturers of these electronics sold in
Wisconsin to assume responsibility for the collection and proper
disposal of electronic devices. The bipartisan vote was 57 to 37.

“The disposal of electronic equipment at the end of its service life
poses significant health hazards if not done carefully. Health hazards
include cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium and brominated flame
retardants,” said Miller. “I congratulate Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber
and the State Assembly for acting to create new jobs, protect our
environment and save property taxpayers from the burden of dealing
this
mounting problem of used electronics.”

The bill is modeled after similar legislation recently adopted in
Minnesota. It establishes recycling quotas based on market share and
allows for the sale or banking of recycling credits that exceed these
goals. The bill provides an additional incentive to recover electronic
devices from rural counties.

The State Assembly approved two amendments. The first made adjustments
to a number of dates in the
bill and suspended shortfall fees for the first year of the program.
Manufacturers that do not meet their recycling target will have to pay
a shortfall fee, beginning in the second year of the program.

The second amendment passed by the Assembly added electronic waste
generated by K-12 schools to
the program.

Electronic waste, or E – Waste, is the fastest growing component of
waste generated in the United States today. This bill establishes a
program to tackle the problem which is expected to get worse. In
Wisconsin, most recent data indicate that an estimated 10,000 tons of
computer monitors and 24,000 tons of televisions were land-filled each
year.

“This problem will only get worse as more and more people switch over
to digital televisions,” Miller said.

“It makes sense to take action to recapture and reuse the valuable
materials contained in household electronic equipment. It makes sense
to take action to protect our environment. It makes sense to protect
our health. It makes sense to pass Senate Bill 107,” concluded
Miller.

The Senate is expected to approve the two amendments in October before
sending the bill to Governor Doyle for his signature.