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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-395OCTOBER 14, 2008 08 -395 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 5 -2 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: SUPPORT A LANDFILL BAN ON COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS AT WINNEBAGO COUNTY LANDFILL INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION: Approved WHEREAS, discarded computers and consumer electronics compose one of the fastest growing waste streams in the United States, with an estimated 250 to 350 million obsolete computers, monitors, televisions, cell phones and computer peripherals in 2005; and WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that only about 11 % (by weight) of these electronic products were recycled; and WHEREAS, a 2006 Department of Natural Resources household recycling survey found that Wisconsin households own approximately 3.8 million computers, 7.5 million televisions and 3.5 million cell phones; and WHEREAS, discarded computers and other consumer electronics contain lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chrpomium, polyvinyl chloride, brominated flame retardants and other toxic materials that pose hazards to human health and the environment when landfilled or incinerated; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 397 proposed a statewide system for the management and recycling of computers and electronics, including a ban on certain electronics from the landfill, but failed to pass during the 2008 legislative session; and WHEREAS, under current law, computers and electronics from households are not banned from landfill disposal in Wisconsin; and WHEREAS, the States of California, Minnesota and Maine, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, because of the toxicity of this waste, have prohibited the disposal of dis- carded cathode ray tubes (CRT's), such as those found in televisions and computer monitors, in municipal landfills or incinerators; and WHEREAS, on February 17, 2009, the federal government has mandated that all television signals be switched from analog to digital format, and it is anticipated many con- sumers will dispose of analog televisions as a result; and OCTOBER 14, 2008 08 -395 RESOLUTION CONT'D WHEREAS, the Winnebago County Landfill in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is presently receiving waste from Brown, Outagamie, Columbia, Waupaca, Winnebago and other Counties, and therefore likely receiving discarded consumer electronics from over 10% of the population of the State of Wisconsin; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh supports a ban on computers and electronics from the Winnebago County Landfill; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh will enforce the landfill ban by not knowingly collecting banned computers and electronics with its municipal curbside waste collection or by requiring its third party contractor /hauler to not knowingly collect banned computers and electronics with curbside waste collection. CITY HALL 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 City Oshkosh, 5 903 -11 1 30 City of Oshkosh — QIHKQlH October 9, 2008 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council From: Don La Fontaine Purchasing Agent Re: Winnebago County Landfill Ban The Department of Public Works received a request from the Winnebago County Solid Waste Management Board that the City of Oshkosh support a ban of computers/ electronics from the Winnebago County Landfill. The City Manager requested that the Energy and Environment Advisory Board review the request and forward their recommendation to the Common Council. The Energy and Environment Board at its October 6, 2008 Advisory Meeting recommended unanimously that the Council support the ban of computers /electronic devices from the county landfill. In passing their recommendation the Board expressed concerns that recycling disposal options would be publicly accessible. Attached is a copy of the solicitation of interest from the Solid Waste Management Board Ban of Computers /Electronics at the Winnebago County Landfill. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: ci -1. 1 -L--" 1 . Don La Fontaine City Manager Purchasing Agent cot LANDFILL /ADMINISTRATION TRANSFER STATION (920) 232 -1800 '" (920) 232 -1850 FOX CITIES} FOX CITIES (920) 727 -2884 3; -(920) 727-2896 FAX (920) 424 -1189 FAX (920) 424 -4955 100 W.COUNTY RD. Y LANDFILL GAS FACILITY OSHKOSH, WI 54901 Winnebago County (920) 232 -1810 LANDFILL GAS FAX Solid Waste . ( 920) 424 -7761 Management Board The Wave of the Future Solicitation of Interest in a Potential Solid Waste Management Board Ban of Computers /Electronics at the Winnebago County Landfill At the Annual Financial and Informational meeting on April 17, 2008, Winnebago County discussed the potential idea of implementing a ban on computers /electronics at the Winnebago County Landfill. As described in detail at the meeting, the Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) is considering a potential ban for a number of reasons: 1. Upcoming federal mandate (February 17, 2009) that all. television signals be switched from analog to digital format. Consumers will need a digital television, digital cable /satellite or a converter box, and the Landfill will likely see a glut of television disposal. 2. This past March, the Wisconsin Legislature failed to pass Senate Bill 397 which proposed a statewide system for the management and recycling of computers and electronics. Based on similar legislation in Minnesota, the law would have placed responsibility for recycling on, manufacturers, in partnership with others, and banned certain electronics from landfills. 3. Computers /electronics contain many toxic or hazardous components including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, other .heavy metals and chemical flame retardants that pose a potential risk to the environment and human health when landfilled or incinerated. According to a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report from 2002, up to 70% of heavy metal (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.) contamination in US landfills comes from electronic products that are disposed of incorrectly. 4. The SWMB recognizes that recycling /reuse is the best waste management choice. Unlike businesses or institutions, who by state law are prohibited from disposing of computers .and other electronic equipment that contain hazardous materials in municipal solid waste landfills or incinerators, households are not legally required to recycle computers /electronics. However, according to the WI Department of Natural Resources, "Whenever possible individuals, businesses and institutions should recycle electronics." The purpose of this 'ballot' is to determine which communities are supportive of a potential Winnebago County landfill ban on computers /electronics. Should a landfill. ban County will continue to offer its on -going computer /electronic recycling program as one of the recycling /reuse options. As you might recall from our Annual Meeting, one community expressed significant interest in this topic and requested a draft resolution from Winnebago County to bring before their Board. Winnebago County produced this draft resolution, and it is enclosed as it provides additional information and statistics on computer /electronic generation and recycling. Again, the SWMB has not acted on this yet and may or may not pursue a .ban on computers /electronics. At this point, the SWMB is attempting to solicit input from its communities and other sources to aid in the decision making process.