(SAN FRANCISCO) -- Representatives of several Bay Area cities pledged today that, if the California Legislature does not act on the electronic waste crisis by the end of this session on August 30, they are prepared to take matters into their own hands.

"Local governments cannot afford to be the deep pockets when it comes to the recycling and proper disposal of the millions of tons of E-Waste hitting our streets," said San Francisco Supervisor Sophie Maxwell at a Thursday morning press conference at San Francisco City Hall. "We will act to protect our governments and local taxpayers from these huge new costs."

Joining Maxwell at the press conference were San Jose City Councilmember Linda LeZotte and Ted Smith from the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition.

The Bay Area leaders pledged that, if the Legislature fails to pass a bill now pending in the State Assembly, they are prepared to introduce ordinances in their cities to require all retailers of hi-tech products to have take-back programs through which consumers would be able to return obsolete computers and TVs at no cost. Retailers would then have to ensure that the e-waste is properly recycled or disposed of.

Electronic waste from obsolete computers, televisions and other devices is one of the fastest growing and most toxic sources of waste. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in 2000 more than 4.6 million tons of e-waste ended up in US landfills and the amount is projected to grow fourfold in the next few years.

"The nine Bay Area counties are projected to have about three-quarters of a million computers and TVs become obsolete each year," Maxwell stated. "On top of that, it is estimated that there are around 1.2 million units already stockpiled in people's homes that eventually will make their way into the waste stream."

E-waste, such as cathode ray tubes found in computer monitors and TV sets, is loaded with toxic materials like lead, mercury and other toxics that pose serious threats to public health. A recent investigation by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition found that because CRTs have been banned from California landfills, they are being exported to 'sham recyclers' in developing nations like China, India and Pakistan, creating a huge risk to human health and the environment.

"We have a looming flood on our hands," said San Jose Councilmember Linda J. LeZotte. "Last week the Federal Communications Commission ruled that within five years, new televisions must be equipped with technology that can receive over-the-air digital signals. Everybody is going to want one. But what will they do with their old TVs? How will we handle the millions of pounds of toxic lead that comes from them? We all want the latest and greatest electronics. But where are yesterday's models supposed to go?"

"It is costing taxpayers millions of dollars right now to deal with the e-waste, and projections indicate those costs will increase exponentially," said Mountain View Mayor Lieber, who was unable to attend due to scheduling difficulties but sent a statement of support. "We need help from the Legislature. In budget years where every program is being cut from police to health care, no California city or county can afford to be saddled with huge increased costs."

San Jose City Councilmember Cindy Chavez, who also was unable to attend the press conference, expressed strong support for such an ordinance. "The Bay Area and the Silicon Valley in particular is the birth place of the computer industry and it is appropriate that our cities take the lead in solving this ominous crisis," Chavez said in a prepared statement.

Maxwell said that the ordinance she plans to introduce will "ensure that none of the toxic materials that would be collected by retailers in a take-back program would be exported to Third World nations.

"It is not our communities' intent to solve this problem on the backs of the poor," said the San Francisco supervisor.

The bill in question is Senate Bill 1523 (Sher) that would require manufacturers to pay the net cost of genuine recycling or proper disposal of electronic devices.

-30- For more information visit: Californians Against Waste