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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Feldman

DATE TYPED 3/12/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Study Electronic Waste

SB SJM 9

ANALYST Wilson

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$0.1 Non-Recurring General Fund

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Environment Department (ED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 9 requests the secretary of ED requested to appoint a task force composed

of the ED, local governments, recycling coalitions, local solid waste authorities, the private com-

puter industry, the city of Albuquerque and the national laboratories to assess the problem of

electronic waste.

The task force must report its findings and make recommendations to the appropriate committee

of the legislature by December 1, 2005.

Significant Issues

According to a recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study, electronics make up

about 1% of the municipal solid waste nationwide and further research shows that electronic

waste is growing three times faster than other types of municipal waste. The National Safety

Council predicts that consumers will discard 250 million computers over the next five years and

mobile phones will be tossed out at a rate of 130 million each year. Electronics require special

handling for disposal because they may include hazardous materials such as lead, chromium,

cadmium, mercury, beryllium, nickel, zinc and brominated flame retardants.

Senate Joint Memorial 9 -- Page 2

Computers represent a rapidly growing waste stream. Queries to the solid waste bureau regard-

ing disposal of this type of waste top the list of requests for information received by the bureau.

Electronic waste contains dangerous substances such as lead, mercury and polychlorinated bi-

phenyls that can pollute air and water. This waste is solid waste as defined in the Solid Waste

Act and if it contains these and other substances and is no longer used for its intended purpose,

may be a hazardous waste under the state Hazardous Waste Act. Furthermore, disposing of these

materials in a landfill reduces valuable landfill capacity and is costly. Storing, treating, and dis-

posing of hazardous waste is also an expensive venture. Recycling can be a viable alternative

and prevents waste of valuable resources. Numerous private industries are now offering collec-

tion and recycling services at no charge when the actual collection logistics are organized and

supported by local governments and authorities.

The ED has organized an internal e-waste task force to addresses the safe disposal and viable re-

cycling of electronic waste generated by the Agency. This task force may provide background

support and information to the task force directed by the Memorial.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

ED will incur costs such as staff time and per diem to travel to out of town meetings and data

collection through surveys.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

ED should be able to handle the requirements in this memorial as part of on-going responsibili-

ties.

DW/yr:lg