Senators Birkholz, Allen, Basham and Richardville offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 38.

A resolution designating April 20-26, 2009, the third annual Michigan Conservation Week, as Electronic Waste (E-waste) Recycling Week.

            Whereas, The Michigan Legislature is constitutionally charged with the responsibility to protect and preserve the natural resources and environment of this great state; and

            Whereas, The state of Michigan is blessed with an abundance of natural resources; plentiful lakes, rivers, and streams; bountiful wetlands and sand dunes; and precious forests. These resources provide Michigan residents and visitors to this great state a high quality of life; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s resources provide both beauty and background for those who live and recreate in the state; and

            Whereas, In recognition of the 90th anniversary of Michigan’s state park system, the Legislature has acknowledged the sensitive nature of these resources through a number of environmental programs designed to keep our resource base healthy, while allowing for wise and continuous use of these natural resources; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s economic, environmental, and social futures are all dependent on the protection and wise use of the state's 37 million acres; and

            Whereas, Twenty-first century prosperity is inextricably linked to the quality of life this or any state provides to both its residents and the businesses and entrepreneurs it wishes to attract; and

            Whereas, One of the primary factors contributing to the quality of life in this or any state is the promotion and maintenance of healthful living conditions and the mitigation of risk factors that otherwise negatively impact these conditions; and

            Whereas, The degradation of Michigan’s natural environment has been documented and linked to quality of life concerns, through the indiscriminate deposition of hazardous waste, including e-waste, such as computer monitors, televisions, laptops, VCRs, cellular phones, remote controls, and other electronic components; and

            Whereas, Scientific analysis has demonstrated that these hazardous e-wastes leach various chemical and metal toxicants into the soil, including lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, and fire retardants; and

            Whereas, The proper disposal of e-waste via recycling, proper storage, and reuse has been recognized on both a state as well as national scale as an area of increasing concern and has resulted in a nationwide increase in electronics recycling by 30 percent within the last year; and

            Whereas, Michigan's 2008 PAs 392, 393, 394, and 395 promote the expansion of responsible electronics recycling in Michigan by requiring manufacturers of consumer computer electronics to implement take-back programs for the free return of computers and video display devices that they produce; and

            Whereas, Several major electronics manufacturers and recyclers have supported this take-back program, including Hewlett Packard, Dell, Apple, Waste Management, Inc., and Goodwill Industries; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is sponsoring an electronics recycling event, in conjunction with Hewlett Packard and Dell, to coincide with other Earth Day events in Lansing on April 22, 2009; and

            Whereas, These events include the annual Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council report before the Michigan Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, which will pertain to septic tank regulation and water quality; and

            Whereas, Designating E-waste Recycling Week will offer local conservation groups and educators an opportunity to educate students and community members on the necessity of preserving Michigan's land-based natural resources in a sustainable manner to provide enjoyment to both current and future generations; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby designate April 20-26, 2009, the third annual Conservation Week, as E-waste Recycling Week. We urge the citizens of the state of Michigan to take part in the conscientious recycling, reuse, and reduction of e-waste and all other solid wastes in order to preserve the high quality of life available to those who live, work, and recreate in the state; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Rebecca Humphries, director of the Department of Natural Resources; the Natural Resources Commission; Steve Chester, director of the Department of Environmental Quality; Representative Rebekah Warren, chair of the House Committee on Great Lakes and Environment; Representative Joel Sheltrown, chair of the House Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources; Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop; Speaker of the House Andy Dillon; and Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.