Resolution Number 02-06-04-02RESOLUTION NO. 02-06-04-0 2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING LEGISLATION THAT
REQUIRES COMPUTER AND OTHER HAZARDOUS ELECTRONICS
PRODUCERS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING
OF THEIR PRODUCTS
WHEREAS, Hazardous electronic discards are an increasing problem, with more than
6,000 computers becoming obsolete in California every day, and 3.2 million tons of
electronic waste ending up in United States landfills in 2000 and estimated to quadruple in
the next few years; and,
WHEREAS, Hazardous electronics contain lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent
chromium, polyvinyl chloride, brominated flame retardants and other materials that can
pose hazards to human health and the environment when handled improperly; and,
WHEREAS, The California Department of Toxic Substances Control recently affirmed
that discarded cathode ray tubes, such as those found in televisions and computer
monitors, are prohibited from disposal, increasing concerns and costs regarding handling,
management and liability; and,
WHEREAS, discarded computers and televisions may represent just the tip of a
growing problem for local government with waste hazardous electronics; and,
WHEREAS, Managing hazardous electronic scrap through San Juan Capistrano's
existing household hazardous waste program will potentially double the volume and cost of
this already over burdened program; and,
WHEREAS, Only 14% of personal computers that became obsolete in 1998 were
recycled or refurbished; and,
WHEREAS, the City of San Juan Capistrano is committed to protecting public health
and the environment from hazardous discards, while reducing waste and increasing
recycling consistent with state waste diversion requirements; and,
WHEREAS, the form, volume, and toxicity of electronic scrap demands substantially
greater producer responsibility for: 1) reducing the amount of hazardous materials in
electronic devices; 2) Diverting hazardous electronics from solid waste disposal; and 3)
Increasing the reuse and recycling of electronic devices and components; and
WHEREAS, Extended Producer Responsibility principles, such as those being adopted
by several countries and the European Union, will foster the development of sustainable
design and recovery of hazardous electronic equipment by shifting the default burden of
management responsibility from local government, ratepayers and taxpayers back to the
manufacturers, distributors and consumers of such products, in part by internalizing
lifecycle costs in the price of such products.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of San Juan
Capistrano does hereby urge its State Assembly and State Senate Representatives, by
letter and receipt of this resolution, to introduce and support legislation requiring computer
and other hazardous electronics producers to operate or fund comprehensive programs
whereby products are sustainably designed and labeled, consumers receive a financial
incentive for proper disposal, a convenient collection infrastructure yielding a high rate of
recovery is created, and environmentally sound reuse followed by recycling is maximized.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 4th day of June, 2002.
ATTEST:
MATRET R. MONAHAN, CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
I, MARGARET R. MONAHAN, appointed City Clerk of the City of San Juan Capistrano, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 02-06-04-02 was duly adopted by the City
Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano at a regular meeting thereof, held the 4th day of
June 2002, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Hart, Campbell, Swerdlin, Gelff and Mayor
Bathgate
None
None
R. MONAHAN, City Clerk