Oregon Toxics Reduction Strategy: Tools and Initiatives June 25, NW NAHMMA Conference Kevin Masterson, Oregon DEQ Agency Toxics Coordinator

Why Develop Strategic Approach to Reducing Toxics? Toxics don’t respect program boxes: –Pollutants released to air  deposit to land  run off to water Gets us beyond chemical-by-chemical approach, while still prioritizing chemicals Increases efficient use of resources by taking a more integrated and strategic approach Complements existing DEQ toxics programs –E.g., “alternative implementation strategies” for WQ Human Health Toxics Standards

DEQ Toxics Reduction Strategy: Identifying High-Priority Chemicals “Focus List” of 51 chemicals or groups of chemicals –Based on existing agency priority lists –Diverse range of chemicals –Overlaps with priorities of other organizations EPA Chemical Action Plans Large national retailers –List is not static – expect changes over time

Oregon DEQ’s Toxics Reduction Strategy Finalized in Recommended Actions in Strategy –5 short-term priorities ( ) Overarching theme  collaboration Actions complement and support: –Columbia River Toxics Reduction Action Plan –Governor’s Green Chemistry Executive Order

2012 Oregon Executive Order: Promoting Green Chemistry Executive Order No : “Fostering Environmentally- Friendly Purchasing and Product Design” Signed April 27, 2012 Key components: Develop outreach strategy for businesses to apply green chemistry (select 2 sectors) Develop proposals to incentivize green chemistry through new or existing programs Develop inter-agency toxics reduction strategy to ensure efficiencies and address gaps Strengthen demand for low toxicity products through state purchasing practices and guidelines  Janitorial Supplies Pilot

Short-Term Priority Action: Partnering with Retailers on Reducing Toxics in Consumer Products Support work of retail businesses to reduce toxics in their product supply chains -Find opportunities to advance mutual goals  common chemicals of concern lists -Share experiences with government purchasing initiatives

Short-Term Priority Action: Deliver Integrated Technical Assistance Combining efforts of multiple programs and agencies to advance safer alternatives in two industry sectors –Identify and implement safer alternatives where feasible –Identify needs for green chemistry research and incentives

Short-Term Priority Action: Expand Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships Build on program that uses environmental monitoring data to focus collaborative actions and measure outcomes Broad support for legislative funding package

Short-Term Priority Action: Expand Pesticide Stewardship Partnerships Build on program that uses environmental monitoring data to focus collaborative actions and measure outcomes Broad support for legislative funding package

Short-Term Priority Action: Collecting Unwanted Pesticides Establish Statewide Pesticide Collection Program –Legacy pesticides a threat to waters, but (unlike WA) no dedicated funding source in Oregon –Periodic events show increasing quantities collected

Interstate Collaboration on Green Chemistry Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) –Purpose: share information on chemicals of concern and assessing safer alternatives for state, local and tribal governments –Databases and resources for: chemical hazard assessments chemical use disclosure data state priority chemicals state chemicals policies –Draft Alternatives Assessment Guidance: