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Office of the County Board Dakota County Administration Center 1590 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033 651.438.4418 Fax 651.438.4405 www.co.dakota.mn.us ... ~J Pr:nted on recycled paper wrth 30% post-consumer waste. AN fQUAl OPPORTUNITY EMPlOYER ~~ " March 15,2005 Mayor Michael Werner City of Hastings 101 4th Street East Hastings, MN 55033 Re: Request for Support for Management of End-of-Life TV and Computer Monitor Legislation Dear Mayor Werner: I am asking you for your support on legislation to address an important environmental issue. The Problem. Major technology advances in TVs and computers and the approaching deadline of conversion to digital TV broadcasting (i.e., HGTV) is providing Minnesota households unprecedented new options in the areas of entertainment and computing. While there are innumerable benefits to our state associated with technological advances, there is a down side as well. When new equipment is purchased, the need to dispose of old equipment arises. TVs and computer monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRTs), or picture tubes, contain from 2 - 8 pounds of lead per unit, as well as other heavy metals and contaminants that are known to impact public health and the environment when not properly managed. These items should not be placed in the trash, but rather should be recycled. The Solution - Part 1. The Minnesota Legislature passed legislation in 2003 to prohibit the disposal of TVs and computer monitors with CRTs in the mixed waste stream, effective July 1, 2005. While the action of the Legislature in 2003 went in the right direction in terms of protecting the environment and creating opportunities for greater levels of recycling, it left the state in the precarious position of having a disposal ban for TVs and computer monitors without a comprehensive infrastructure to provide convenient and affordable recycling options for citizens. Without this infrastructure, local government will be on the receiving end of citizen demand for drop-off and recycling options. Most local units of government are not willing or not able to raise taxes and fees needed to create a government response to the growing demand for electronic waste recycling services. The Solution - Part 2. Given this situation, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB), representing Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington Counties, is working with legislators to pass legislation that requires manufacturers of TVs and computer monitors to establish collection and recycling programs for Minnesota households. Request for Support. Given the importance of this issue, the SWMCB is requesting Minnesota counties and cities join in supporting an electronics legislative initiative. Specifically, we ask that you distribute this request and ask your council members to consider adopting a resolution of support (model resolution attached).