EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY Lynne Pledger GRRN Zero Waste Conference, October 20, 2009

NYC Pounds / Capita / Year Inorganics Biowaste Products USA , USA “Waste Generated” Waste has changed since 1900

Today’s Material Flow Natural Resources Goods and Services Pollution, Waste and Environmental Disturbances 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. 3

Landfill

Why do we have so much solid waste? Why is solid waste so toxic? Why aren’t all products repairable or recyclable? 5 Questions

One Answer Brand-owners don’t pay for solid waste management.

Disposable and toxic Products are disposable by design

US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports © 2009 Product Policy Institute

* Use of Appliances and Devices 7% Provision of Food 12% Non-local Passenger Transport 9% Building HVAC and Lighting 21% Local Passenger Transport 13% US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Consumption View – Global Source: PPI 2009 – Joshuah Stolaroff Products & Packaging 44% Use * Provision of Goods 37% Infra- structure 1% © 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.

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. EPR is the law in 30 countries 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.

24 © 2009 Product Policy Institute ~Local Government Product Stewardship Councils September 2009 Oregon Washington Hawaii Northwest California British Columbia Nova Scotia VT Texas New York Midwest CT 24 © 2009 Product Policy Institute

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