AMERICA RECYCLES DAY GOOD TIME TO REFLECT ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES

 HARRISBURG, NOV. 16 – State Sen. Connie Williams spoke of the ongoing need to expand recycling opportunities following the 2006 observance of America Recycles Day.

 "It has been a few years since recycling went mainstream," Williams said. "Familiarity can lead to complacency. Recycling is too important to the environment and to everyone's quality of life to allow it to become an afterthought. One way to keep the topic current is to offer new recycling opportunities to meet the changing needs of Pennsylvanians."

 Williams has introduced a package of environmentally friendly recycling bills aimed at reducing the amount of electronic waste and potentially harmful toxins in Pennsylvania. According to some estimates, electronic products constitute the fastest growing category of municipal waste. More than 500 million computers will be discarded in 2007, resulting in the need to dispose of 603 billion pounds of plastic and 106 billion pounds of lead.

 Williams' legislation would provide consumers a way to properly dispose of electronics in a safe way, by:

• S.B. 1122 – banning the disposal of used cathode ray tubes in landfills and incinerators. The ban would be accompanied by a statewide recycling program funded through the enactment of an advanced recovery fee on the purchase of such electronics

• S.B. 1123 – requiring state agencies to develop and implement plans to manage and sell surplus computer equipment and electronics; encouraging the donation of unsold equipment to Pennsylvania public schools.

• S.B. 1124 – requiring cellular phone retailers to have a collection, reuse and recycling program in place in order to do business in the Commonwealth.

 As a service to her constituents, Williams also collects old cellular telephones. She works with several organizations and companies that will reprogram older cell phones to dial 911. These phones are distributed at women's shelters and to older adults.

 Old cell phones and chargers for the phones may be dropped off at either of Williams' offices that are located at 700 S. Henderson Road, Suite 100 A, King of Prussia and in the Manoa Shopping Center, Suite 39, 1305 West Chester Pike, Havertown.