SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 11

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Dede Feldman

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRABLE ELECTRONICS PROCUREMENT AND RECYCLING BY STATE AGENCIES.

     WHEREAS, the technology explosion has created an exponential increase in electronic waste, known as "e-waste", that contains dangerous substances such as lead and mercury that can pollute air, land and water; and

     WHEREAS, used and nonfunctioning electronic products take up landfill space, and recycling those products prevents the release of heavy metals, brominated flame retardants and polyvinyl chlorides that could pose environmental and health risks; and

     WHEREAS, when state agencies purchase greener electronic products, they reduce the impacts of electronic products during use; and

     WHEREAS, state agencies in the executive branch represent one of the largest purchasers and disposers of electronics as an industry segment, with a large number of desktops, laptops and monitors requiring proper disposal annually; and

     WHEREAS, the department of environment should take a leadership role in creating cradle-to-grave guidelines for the procurement and proper recycling of electronics at state agencies; and

     WHEREAS, the proper procurement and disposal of electronics support improved energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gases; and

     WHEREAS, state agencies can demonstrate leadership and promote behavior change among the citizens of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, there is a market for recycling e-waste that can help provide jobs and computer resources for education, as well as dispose of unusable components in an environmentally correct manner;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of environment be requested to convene a task force to develop guidelines for environmentally preferrable electronics procurement and recycling by New Mexico state agencies and make recommendations to the New Mexico legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include the secretary of environment or the secretary's designee; the secretary of information technology or the secretary's designee; the state purchasing agent of the purchasing division of the general services department or the agent's designee; the director of the administrative office of the courts or the director's designee; the director of the legislative council service or the director's designee; representatives from New Mexico's colleges and universities; representatives from recycling coalitions in New Mexico; representatives from the private computer industry; representatives from the electronic scrap recyclers and processors industry; representatives from Sandia national laboratories and the Los Alamos national laboratory to assist in the development of best management practices on the state agency level; and any other entities deemed necessary by the secretary of environment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force's work include the following:

          A. a review of existing electronics procurement in New Mexico; and

          B. a study of existing programs in other states that may serve as models for New Mexico in implementing best practices for procurement of electronics and use and disposal of e-waste; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force collaborate with the purchasing division of the general services department to document the actual amount of electronics used in state agencies and to develop a statewide e-waste recycling contract template; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to present its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee no later than December 1, 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of environment.

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