HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2007-032WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO.
AB2007 -300
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council O ice
Agenda Date Assigned to:
7/10/07 public Works
Council
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Division Head:
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Dept. Head:
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Prosecutor:
Purchasin Bud et:
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Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT. Approval of Resolution declaring Whatcom County's intent to require the
recycling of all electronics and mercury- containing products in the community waste stream
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( x ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes { x ) NO
SEPA review completed? { ) Yes { x ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARYSTATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language far use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
A Resolution Declaring Whatcom County's Intent to require the recycling of all electronics and mercury
containing products in the community waste stream.
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
7/10/2007: Forwarded to Council for approval
711012007: Council Approved 7 -0
Res. 2007 -032
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res. 2007 -032
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing andprinting
on the County's website at. www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
PROPOSED BY: Executive Kremen
SPONSORED BY: Consent
INTRODUCED: 7/10/2007
RESOLUTION NO. 2007 -032
A RESOLUTION DECLARING WHATCOM COUNTY'S INTENT TO REQUIRE
THE RECYCLING OF ALL ELECTRONICS AND MERCURY - CONTAINING
PRODUCTS IN THE COMMUNITY WASTE STREAM.
WHEREAS, Whatcom County government seeks to play a leadership role in the
environmental protection of its community; and
WHEREAS, electronic items such as computers, laptops, and television sets can
contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants, which can
pose a health hazard if disposed improperly; and
WHEREAS, electronic waste is a growing portion of our solid waste stream; and
WHEREAS, as of January 1, 2009, Washington State law will require
manufacturers of computers, monitors, laptops, portable computers, and
televisions to provide recycling services throughout the state at no cost to
households, small businesses, small local governments, charities, and school
districts, per RCW 70.95N; and
WHEREAS, the Oregon legislature unanimously passed HB 2626, which will ban
the disposal of electronics in the waste stream as of January 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, nearly half of Whatcom County's solid waste is currently transported
to Oregon landfills for disposal; and
WHEREAS, spent fluorescent -tube lighting and compact fluorescent bulbs
contain mercury, and the use of compact fluorescents is becoming standard in
household applications; and.
WHEREAS, Washington State Law prohibits disposal of mercury- containing
waste such as fluorescent lighting by commercial customers per WAC 173 -303-
573, the Universal Waste Rule, while households and other "Small Quantity
Handlers" are currently exempted from this rule; and
WHEREAS, sufficient recycling services are available in Whatcom County to
meet community electronic -waste and fluorescent lighting recycling needs.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council
intends to enact an ordinance that will require electronic waste and mercury-
containing lighting to be recycled-rather than discarded, for not only commercial,
but residential applications as well.
APP5PY,FD this 10 day of
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July _'2007.
the Council
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Council Chair
( Approved ( ) Denied
Pe a Kremen, County Executive
Date Signed 7-11-07.