pg_0001

SJM 11

Page 1

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT TO CONVENE A TASK

FORCE TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE

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

pg_0002

SJM 11

Page 2

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 preferable 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;

pg_0003

SJM 11

Page 3

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

pg_0004

SJM 11

Page 4

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of environment.