1. Product Stewardship and the Precautionary Principle SF Department of the Environment

2. SFE Overview ....

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

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

9. 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 those that minimize harm

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

11. SF bans Bpa in baby bottles: Retailers answer

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

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