[GreenYes] Fwd: California E-Waste Veto Message

[Gary Liss <gary@garyliss.com>]

Apologies for Cross-Posting

> From: "Paparian, Michael"
> <Paparian@CIWMB.ca.gov>
> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 02:45:32 -0700 
>
> To the Members of the
> California State Senate: 
>
> I am returning Senate Bill
> 1523 without my signature. However, I am willing to sign legislation that
> challenges industry to assume greater responsibility for the recycling
> and disposal of electronic waste.
>
>   
> I am very troubled by an
> increasing electronic waste pollution problem in California, as well as
> across our nation.  Local governments report increasing costs to
> handle, transport and recycle discarded electronic equipment.
> The amassing stockpile of
> obsolete and broken computer monitors and televisions grows daily. 
> I am equally disturbed that this dangerous cargo is being sent to
> underdeveloped nations exposing children to hazardous waste materials. I
> applaud the author's effort to address these problems.
>
> However, I am concerned that this program is not the most efficient or
> cost effective approach for California.  This bill requires the
> state to hire 64 new people, at a time when the Legislature has directed
> the Administration to cut 7,000 positions.  Moreover, I believe that
> building a state bureaucracy to address this problem is not the best
> solution for managing electronic waste.  We should compel industry
> to solve this problem.
>
> California has always been a global leader in the electronics
> industry.  I challenge the industry to lead the way and devise an
> innovative solution for the source reduction, recycling, and safe
> disposal of electronic waste.  Industry already has initiated
> several successful incentive programs that create a partnership between
> the consumer and the manufacturer.  I believe this would be a better
> model for California and would foster the concept of an environmentally
> sustainable electronic and technology industry and provides incentives to
> design products that are less toxic and more recyclable. Moreover, we
> simply must demonstrate our leadership and compassion by making sure that
> California's electronic waste is not irresponsibly sent to underdeveloped
> nations. 
>
> The European Union is working on a program to assure that manufacturers
> maintain responsibility for the safe recycling of the products they
> produce.  I am encouraged by the product stewardship approach and
> believe this model, tailored to fit California's recycling and disposal
> infrastructure is worth pursuing.  California needs a comprehensive
> and innovative state law that partners with product manufacturers,
> establishes recycling targets, and provides for the safe recycling and
> disposal of electronic waste.  Setting environmental standards and
> providing manufacturers flexibility to meet them is the cornerstone of
> California's air quality laws and has generated a new generation of car
> emission reduction technologies and improved air quality for the
> public.  I am convinced we can do the same for electronic
> waste.
>
> I strongly urge industry and other interested parties to rapidly devise a
> solution, in keeping with the goals I've articulated in this
> message.  There is no time to waste.  I believe California
> should have a new law next year.
>
> I am asking my Secretary of the California Environmental Protection
> Agency to take a leadership role in working with the Legislature,
> government, industry, and stakeholders to create a successful California
> electronic waste program.  I am directing the Department of General
> Services to take steps to assure that the state purchases electronic
> products that minimize environmental impacts and that state electronic
> equipment is recycled using best available practices. 
>
> Sincerely, 
>
>
> GRAY DAVIS

Gary Liss

916-652-7850

Fax: 916-652-0485