SCR105.DOC

WHEREAS, household batteries, including single-use and rechargeable batteries, are used ubiquitously throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, certain rechargeable household batteries produce power when heavy metals react with chemical electrolytes within the battery; and

WHEREAS, the heavy metals found in certain rechargeable household batteries include mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel; and

WHEREAS, the heavy metals found within certain rechargeable household batteries may contaminate the environment when improperly disposed, including the release of pollutants into the air when incinerated; and

WHEREAS, single-use alkaline batteries contain common metals such as steel, zinc and manganese; and

WHEREAS, compact fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and, if broken, may contaminate the environment by releasing mercury into the air; and

WHEREAS, the safest means of disposing of rechargeable household batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs and the heavy metals within them is by means of recycling; and

WHEREAS, single-use alkaline batteries may be recycled solely for the purpose of reusing the common metals, but do not pose any environmental or health risks; and

WHEREAS, recycling of household batteries results in the separation of the plastic components and heavy metals for reuse in new plastic products, batteries, and other products; and

WHEREAS, many people throughout the State of Hawaii are unaware that improper disposal of certain rechargeable household batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs may contaminate the environment, or that household batteries may be safely recycled and where to recycle them; and

WHEREAS, there are few convenient places to drop off household batteries or compact fluorescent light bulbs for recycling; and

WHEREAS, the residents of the qualifying counties are in need of programs to increase public awareness of the importance of recycling household batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs, and to establish convenient and permanent recycling methods; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the House of Representatives concurring, that each county within the State of Hawaii is requested to develop and implement a program to increase public awareness of the importance of recycling household batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs, and to establish convenient centers for the collection and recycling of household batteries; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each county within the State of Hawaii is requested to develop and implement permanent drop-off sites for batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and other household hazardous material; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor, the Chairperson of the County Council, and the Director of Environmental Services or Director of Environmental Management of each county of the State.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Household Batteries and Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs; Recycling

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	105
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII