Directs the department of health to adopt rules to establish a cathode ray tube recycling program. Prohibits placing cathode ray tubes in landfills after 7/1/08. Requires reports to legislature.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that outdated computer equipment poses disposal dilemmas. The cathode ray tubes in computer monitors and televisions contain traces of lead, phosphorous, cadmium, barium, and mercury. When a cathode ray tube is disposed of in a landfill, the chance of breakage is very high. When broken, the hazardous materials pose an environmental risk that could contaminate soil and water.

In 1998, more than twenty million computers hit obsolescence, but only eleven per cent were recycled. By 2005, three hundred fifty million machines will have reached obsolescence, with at least fifty-five million of them expected to end up in landfills, according to the National Safety Council. While the United States Environmental Protection Agency regulates large producers of electronic waste, small businesses and consumers are exempted from the regulations.

States and local communities are creating solutions to the potential problems caused by the improper disposal of cathode ray tubes. Massachusetts recently became the first state to forbid the disposal of computer monitors in landfills. California's environmental agencies are encouraging consumers to donate or recycle. Florida has found that cathode ray tubes are the second largest source of lead in Florida's municipal solid waste stream, just behind lead acid batteries. In response, Florida has developed a strategy for managing end-of-life cathode ray tubes that aims to specify the regulatory framework, promote the recycling infrastructure, pursue pilot programs to evaluate various management options, and execute a state recycling contract for use by Florida governmental agencies.

To protect our fragile environment, Hawaii must recognize the need to prohibit inappropriate disposal of cathode ray tubes and establish an environmentally sound solution similar to the lead acid batteries recycling program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 342I, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part . cathode ray tubes

§342I-A Definition. As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Cathode ray tube" means an intact glass tube used to provide the visual display in televisions, computer monitors, oscilloscopes, and similar scientific equipment, but does not include the other components of an electronic product containing a cathode ray tube even if the product and the cathode ray tube are disassembled.

§342I-B Cathode ray tube special wastes recycling program; enforcement. (a) The department of health shall adopt rules to provide for a cathode ray tube special wastes recycling program that shall be operational no later than July 1, 2008. The program shall include the disposal and recycling of cathode ray tubes as defined in section 342I-A.

(b) After July 1, 2008, no person may knowingly place a used cathode ray tube in a landfill, municipal solid waste landfill or incinerator, or in mixed municipal solid waste, and disposal of cathode ray tubes shall be only as permitted under the cathode ray tube special wastes recycling program established by the department.

(c) The owner or operator of a landfill, solid waste disposal facility, or incinerator shall:

(1) Post clearly visible and easy-to-read signs at the

(d) The department shall enforce this part."

SECTION 3. The department of health shall submit a report on the progress made to develop the cathode ray tube special wastes recycling program, including any recommendations for administrative or statutory changes to the legislature not less than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007, and annually thereafter until 2010.

SECTION 4. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.