Capital Briefs: Electronics Recycling Program Proposed

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Electronics recycling program proposed
Arizona: House Bill 2361 would develop a large electronics recycling program. The program would force manufacturers to have a recycling program and register with the state to sell electronics in the state. The registration fee would be determined at a later point. Introduced Jan. 17 and sent to a committee on technology and infrastructure along with a committee on energy, environment and natural resources.

Bill would raise waste surcharges in Hawaii
Hawaii: House Bill 901 would increase the solid waste management surcharge to $1.25 per ton of solid waste disposed in landfills or shipped out of state. The bill would increase the solid waste management surcharge to 60 cents per ton for solid waste disposed at waste-to-energy facilities that accept 150,000 tons or more of solid waste annually. There is no surcharge for waste sent to WTE facilities that accept less than 150,000 tons of solid waste annually. Introduced Jan. 22.

Bag ban brought back in California
California: Assembly Bill 158 would prohibit specified stores from providing a single-use carryout bag to a customer. Stores would also be required to provide a plastic bag collection bin for customers designed for recycling of the bags. The bill would extend to convenience food stores, food marts and certain other specified stores. Introduced Jan. 22.

Mattress recycling program proposed
Connecticut: Senate Bill 552 would establish a mattress recycling program. The program would include a fee at the point of purchase, paid by the consumer, to fund the recycling efforts. The bill aims to clean up the environment without posing any risks to mattress manufacturers. Introduced Jan. 24.

Fee proposed for foam containers in Hawaii
Hawaii: Senate Bill 621 would require all businesses in the state to charge a 10-cent fee for each foam disposable food container provided to a customer. The bill would require the money collected to be sent to a special account for environmental management. Businesses would be required to submit annual reports identifying the number of foam disposable and biodegradable materials handed out to customers. Introduced Jan. 18 and sent to a committee on energy and the environment.

Asphalt shingles could be used in roads
Connecticut: House Bill 6023 would expand recycling by allowing the use of asphalt roofing shingles to be reused in road paving materials. Introduced Jan. 24.

Bag ban bill proposed in Arkansas
Arkansas: House Bill 1036 would enact the Reusable Shopping Bag Act which would prohibit a store from providing a single-use carryout bag to customers. The bill would also encourage the use of reusable bags through an education campaign. Introduced Jan. 17 and sent to a committee on public health, welfare and labor.

Bill would change recycling fund fees
Colorado: Senate Bill 50 would incrementally increase certain fees collected for the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Fund. The bill would also add limitations to grants made to reduce waste tire stockpiles and make rebates paid from the fund discretionary. Introduced Jan. 16 and sent to a committee on finance.

Rules wanted for ash transport
Hawaii: House Bill 1048 would require the state's Department of Health to establish standards for the transport of ash generated at waste-to-energy and incineration facilities for offsite recycling. Introduced Jan. 23.

Recycling definition altered for pyrolysis
Colorado: Senate Bill 63 would alter the state's renewable energy standard's definition of recycled energy to include synthetic gas derived from waste materials through pyrolysis. Introduced Jan. 16 and sent to a committee on state, veterans and military affairs.

Bill would examine waste fat disposal
Connecticut: House Bill 5203 would require the establishment of a task force to examine the improper disposal of waste fats. The bill would aim to prevent the improper disposal of waste fats in the public sewer systems and avoid attendant costs to municipalities when fats clog the systems and cause them to malfunction. Introduced Jan. 11 and sent to a joint committee on the environment.

Bill could alter bottle bill in Connecticut
Connecticut: House Bill 5286 would amend rules around bottle redemption centers, forcing them to accept bottles from all brands or manufacturers. The current law allows stores to accept only items they sell. Introduced Jan. 15.

Bill would alter used tire rules in Hawaii
Hawaii: House Bill 374 would require tire importers to accept, acquire or purchase used tires in an annual amount that is not less than 95% of the number of new tires sold annually by the importer. The bill would also require importers to keep records and report annually to the state's Department of Health. Introduced Jan. 18 and sent to committees on transportation and consumer protection.

Bill would impose rules on phone books
Hawaii: Senate Bill 25 requires that distributors of telephone directories and advertising materials pick up unclaimed materials within seven days of receiving a request to do so if the telephone directories and advertising materials are not made out of 100% recyclable materials. Introduced Jan. 16 and sent to a committee on energy and environment.

Bill would allow collection of pills
Illinois: House Bill 72 amends the Safe Pharmaceutical Disposal Act allowing any licensed pharmacy to display a container suitable for the collection of used, expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals so they could be properly disposed. The containers must be accessible to the public, but the contents must be secured so items can only be deposited. Introduced Jan. 9 and sent to a committee on rules.

Rule would implement electronics landfill ban
Colorado: Rules proposed by the Department of Public Health and Environment would implement the statewide landfill ban on electronic devices and its components passed by the legislature in 2012. Rule proposed Jan. 14.

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