Product Stewardship and the Precautionary Principle SF Department

Product Stewardship and the Precautionary Principle SF Department of the Environment

SFE Overview §.

Product Stewardship § San Francisco has been very active over the past 20 +years § Many different local initiatives that have resulted in effective programs throughout San Francisco § San Francisco has also been active statewide and nationally advocating for extended producer responsibility policies

History § Long SF history of promoting toxics reduction and proper HHW handling - first HHWF in CA § Learned from British Columbia and Northwest Product Stewardship Council formation § Worked with Product Stewardship Institute § Advocated locally on individual campaigns § Joined effort to create California Product Stewardship Council, it has been a great step § “Adopt” neighboring jurisdictions

Examples § § § Paint take-back in place for over 20 years 100 retail locations taking batteries 35 taking CFLs 70 needles drop-off locations Effective mercury thermometer exchanges Most are small retail, hardware and pharmacy type stores where space is at a premium § Shows the big box stores and manufacturers that it can be done, and that residents use it § No excuse if “Mom and Pop” in SF can do it with no space, displaces other products, on their own staff time § As locations increase HHWF stays constant, no drop

The Precautionary Approach It is NOT sufficient to ask: Is it legal? Is it safe? We also MUST ask: Is it necessary?

How long do we wait, how much harm do we allow, before taking action?

The Precautionary Principle ≠ Zero risk = Minimize harm ≠ Zero science = Maximize info. /science ≠ Loss of jobs = Increase innovation ≠ Predetermined = Transparent Process outcome (i. e. for public decision ban) making

So that when we ask: § It is legal? § Confident our laws are protective of all life § Is it safe? § Sufficient data and testing so that we understand how a chemical interacts within organisms and ecosystems § Is it necessary? § Affected communities are at the table, we are all empowered to examine all the alternatives, and to choose that minimize harm

The Precautionary Principle = Adopted in 2006 = Incorporated as part of the Environmental Code in SF

SF bans Bpa in baby bottles: Retailers answer

Other examples of, “Is is necessary? ” § Plastic bags § Water bottles § Artificial Turf § Energy efficient lighting that contains mercury

Contact: § Marjaneh Zarrehparvar 415 -355 -3756 marjaneh. zarrehparvar@sfgov. org § Debbie Raphael 415 -355 -3711 debbie. raphael@sfgov. org