Bills to Reduce Toxins in Waterways, Landfills Approved by Oregon Senate

SB 945 tackles harmful chemicals in brake pads; SB 82 bolsters e-cycle program

Oregon Capitol photo by Tim King Salem-News.co

(Salem, Oregon) - The Oregon Senate passed two bills this morning that will help reduce pollution in Oregon. Senate Bill 945 creates a phased-in approach to removing certain brake pads from the market, specifically those with elements like copper that are harmful to salmon and other aquatic life. Senate Bill 82 will reward companies that exceed their electronic recycling quota while adding desktop printers and computer peripherals, including the keyboard, mouse and cords.

“These bills are both significant environmental victories for Oregon,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “SB 945 makes the state’s waters safer for salmon and other aquatic species, saves cities millions in potential environmental clean-up expenses, and enables auto manufacturers to provide safe and reliable brakes to consumers. SB 82 expands the list of electronic products that Oregonians can recycle, creating jobs for Oregonians and keeping these products out of landfills.”

SB 945 will phase out the sale of brake pads using copper, asbestiform, cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead, helping to get these harmful elements out of Oregon’s waterways. Scientific evidence indicates that copper, in particular, damages the sensory capabilities of salmon when it enters Oregon’s rivers and streams through storm water runoff. When the copper particles in brake pads are released from vehicles, they often settle on roadways and are dissolved with the storm water when it rains.

“The West Coast is leading the way,” said Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), a member of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “With this bill, Oregon joins California and Washington in enacting higher standards for brake pads. Many of our local governments don’t have the resources to get these toxins out of runoff water through their treatment systems. This bill will help stop pollution at its source.”

SB 82 builds on legislation passed in 2007 to create a statewide collection, transportation, and recycling system for the recycling of televisions and computers. When these products end up in landfills, they have the potential to leach toxic materials like lead, cadmium and mercury. Under the “E-Cycles” program, registered electronic manufacturers are assigned a “return share” that sets an annual, weight-based target for the amount of material the manufacturer is expected to collect based on market share. SB 82 will reward companies that exceed their electronic recycling quota by giving them “recycling credits” for use in future years. The bill also builds upon Oregon’s highly successful e-waste program by adding desktop printers and computer peripherals.

“Senate Bill 82 complements Oregon Senate Democrats’ dedication to recycling and to protecting our environment for future generations,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “E-cycling protects our health and ecosystem health by keeping toxins out of the environment and unwanted waste out of landfills.”

Both SB 945 and SB 82 will now go to the House for consideration.

Source: Oregon State Legislature Senate Majority Office