Appropriates funds for the establishment of a 2-year pilot computer recycling and disposal program in at least two public schools in the State.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that computers constitute one of the fastest growing categories of solid waste. This waste poses a dilemma for waste managers – both from the volume of waste and the hazardous materials that could released into the environment during incineration.

Most computers use cathode ray tubes that contain from five to eight pounds of lead. Other hazardous materials found in computers include cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, plastics, polyvinylchloride, and flame retardants. These hazardous materials are harmful to human and environmental health, especially if they are allowed to contaminate soil and water.

According to the National Safety Council, more than five hundred million computers will be discarded by 2007, resulting in the need to dispose of 6.3 billion pounds of plastic and 1.6 billion pounds of lead.

The legislature also finds that reusing and recycling computers is the best way to manage the waste. In this regard, a few of Hawaii's public schools have reaped benefits from old computers by, among other things, using them to build computer labs at a fraction of what it would have cost if new computers were used. Making recycled computers available to schools not only increases the computer's life by several years, it also helps more of Hawaii's students achieve technology standards set by the State. The demand for more computers in the public schools has been recognized. Currently, with 4.7 students per computer, Hawaii is forty-third among the states in providing access to instructional computers.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a computer recycling and disposal program, on a pilot project basis, in at least two public high schools in the State. The program will develop strategies for reusing and refurbishing older computers, and proper disposal of computers that cannot be reused or refurbished.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the development and implementation of a computer recycling and disposal program, on a two-year pilot project basis, that will:

The pilot program shall be implemented in at least two public high schools in the State. The departments of education and health shall work collaboratively on the pilot program, with the department of education being the lead agency.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.