EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY Lynne Pledger lpledgercleanwater org GRRN
EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY Lynne Pledger lpledger@cleanwater. org GRRN Zero Waste Conference, October 20, 2009
Waste has changed since 1900 1400 1, 213 1200 Pounds / Capita / Year 1000 955 800 607 600 387 358 400 200 Inorganics Biowaste Products 187 92 25 14 0 1900 NYC 1960 USA “Waste Generated” 2000 USA
Today’s Material Flow Approximately 25% of what goes ‘in the pipe’ comes out as goods and services. Waste from your production process, including goods that are no longer useable, is returned back to the planet creating additional pollution and environmental disturbance. Natural Resources Goods and Services Pollution, Waste and Environmental Disturbances 3
Landfill
Questions • Why do we have so much solid waste? • Why is solid waste so toxic? • Why aren’t all products repairable or recyclable? 5
One Answer • Brand-owners don’t pay for solid waste management.
Products are disposable Disposable and toxic by design
US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports © 2009 Product Policy Institute
US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Consumption View – Global Non-local Passenger Transport 9% Local Passenger Transport 13% Infrastructure 1% Provision of Food 12% Building HVAC and Lighting 21% Use * Provision of Goods 37% Products & Packaging 44% * Use of Appliances and Devices 7% Source: PPI 2009 – Joshuah Stolaroff © 2009 Product Policy Institute
Because most GHG emissions come from production, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is recommended because it addresses product design.
EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY * REQUIRES PRODUCERS TO PAY FOR DISCARD MANAGEMENT * GIVES PRODUCERS INCENTIVE TO REDESIGN THEIR PRODUCTS
PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP Producers have the most responsibility because they design and market the products.
DESIGNING WASTE AWAY Example: a component redesigned to be cleaned can be reused instead of discarded.
EXTENDENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY Benefits of EPR: • More products diverted from disposal • Products redesigned to be more durable, recylable and less toxic • More jobs • Costs savings for local governments
PRODUCT COLLECTION PLANS § Must be approved by the state regulatory agency § May utilize retailers, local charities, local businesses, municipal infrastructure, or the mail—depending upon the producer’s business plan.
EPR is the law in 30 countries • Green Dot program in Germany one of the first in 1992, placed tax on excess packaging not recovered by the manufacturer • European Union requires Take Back for motor vehicles and electronic waste (WEEE directive) • EPR for packaging is the law in 30 countries – 24 European, 3 Asian, Australia, Peru & Quebec. • 9 countries require Electronics Take Back • 15 countries require battery Take Back. • Canada has over 30 national & provincial take back programs. 16
BRAND OWNERS PAY For more drop-off locations or for use of municipal facilities
How can EPR support local business development and the reduce, reuse, recycle hierarchy? § EPR bill language § Local stakeholder input on legislation and produce plans § Local government Product Stewardship Council advocacy
MORE LOCAL JOBS? Goodwill Industries in Washington state has been able to hire more people since EPR for electronics has been implemented.
~Local Government Product Stewardship Councils September 2009 British Columbia Nova Scotia Northwest Midwest Washington New York Oregon CT California Hawaii © 2009 Product Policy Institute VT Texas 24
CLEAN WATER ACTION CAMPAIGN FLIER
- Slides: 25