A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DISPOSAL OF COMPUTERS.

WHEREAS, it is estimated that there will be more than three hundred fifteen million obsolete computers in the United States by 2004; and

WHEREAS, as consumers accelerate the pace with which they replace computers, landfill managers face a growing dilemma caused by both the volume of waste generated by computers and by the hazardous materials in computers that could be released into the environment once they are discarded; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico currently has no regulations concerning the disposal of computers; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico in 1990 enacted the Solid Waste Act in an admirable effort to manage the disposal of refuse and to encourage recycling; and

WHEREAS, while there are no large scale computer recycling operations in New Mexico, it is possible that some would be formed if a market were created; and

WHEREAS, it is always desirable to recycle refuse and especially so in the case of computers because of the costs and risks associated with disposing of computers;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of environment be requested to study the costs and benefits of implementing a computer recycling program, whether under its own management or that of private enterprise; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of environment report its findings and recommendations, if any, to the appropriate interim committee of the legislature prior to December 1, 2003; and

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