SCR 56 — DIRECTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO WORK WITH DELAWARE'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND THE DELAWARE SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY TO IDENTIFY A NEW FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE RECYCLING GRANTS PROGRAM AND ENCOURAGING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

Rep.Sen.

BriggsPinkney King& HOUSESen. OF REPRESENTATIVES 151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE AMENDMENT NO.

1Pettyjohn TO& SENATERep. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.

56Briggs AMENDKing SenateSens. Concurrent Resolution No.

56Hansen, byHocker, deletingMantzavinos, linesSokola, 14Wilson; and 15 in their entirety.

SYNOPSISReps. This amendment clarifies that the DSWA does not receive funds from the state.

HRGriffith, :Lambert, Osienski, Wilson-Anton DELAWARE STATE SENATE 151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.

RDS56 :DIRECTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO WORK WITH DELAWARE'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND THE DELAWARE SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY TO IDENTIFY A NEW FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE RECYCLING GRANTS PROGRAM AND ENCOURAGING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

AFJWHEREAS, Pageelectronic 1devices, ofincluding 1televisions, Released:computers, and cell phones, are ubiquitous in today’s society;

06/29/2021and 08:42WHEREAS, AMelectronic 0801510192devices are composed of hazardous materials including metals and chemicals;

and WHEREAS, exposure to electronic waste, also known as “e-waste”, is associated with an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction, behavioral changes, decreased lung function, adverse birth outcomes, and changes at the cellular level;

and WHEREAS, the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) operates a free electronic goods recycling program for households, government offices, non-profit organizations, and schools;

and WHEREAS, the recycling program offers 4 collection sites statewide, in addition to special collection events, and pickup services for government offices, non-profits, and schools;

and WHEREAS, the recycling program collected 37,934 electronic devices during FY2020, totaling 2,433,048 pounds;

and WHEREAS, the DSWA also operates an Education Center where members of the community, including school children, can learn about the importance of recycling;

and WHEREAS, the Recycling Grants and Low Interest Loan Program reimbursed the DSWA Education Center $8,300 during FY 2020 for school trips to the Center;

and WHEREAS, the fees that funded the Recycling Grants and Low Interest Loan Program sunset on December 1, 2014;

and WHEREAS, the Recycling Grants and Low Interest Loan Program will cease to exist unless funding is reallocated from other sources, or a new funding stream is identified;

and WHEREAS, the Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC) was created by the General Assembly in 2010 to advise the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and DSWA on all aspects of recycling;

and SD :

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06/09/2021 01:32 PM th WHEREAS, RPAC stated in its 19 Annual Report that education and outreach initiatives to schools, businesses, and communities on what and how to recycle are the most important steps for continuing progress;

and WHEREAS, RPAC also recommended in its Annual Report that a new funding source be identified for the Recycling Grants and Low Interest Loan Program;

and WHEREAS, RPAC further recommended that members of the Delaware General Assembly continue to educate their staff and constituencies on how and why to recycle properly in Delaware;

and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic restricted DNREC’s ability to conduct education and outreach on recycling.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 151 General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the General Assembly should work with DNREC, DSWA, and RPAC to identify a permanent funding mechanism for the Recycling Grants and Low Interest Loan Program so that it may continue to fund important services, including education on recycling.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly encourages DNREC and DSWA to focus its education and outreach efforts on how and why to recycling electronic devices.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly should endeavor to educate its staff and constituency on the importance of recycling electronic devices, including where and how to recycle such devices.

SYNOPSIS This Concurrent Resolution directs the General Assembly to work with DNREC, DSWA, and RPAC to identify funding for the Recycling Grants and Low Interest Loan Program.

It also encourages further outreach and education on the importance of recycling electronic devices.

Author:

Senator Pinkney SD :

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