Group Lauds SF Product Waste Legislation
(September 16, 2008)
San Francisco Resolution Calls for Legislation on Product Waste Responsibility
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) applauds the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for adopting a resolution calling on state lawmakers to enact legislation that will shift costs and responsibilities for waste management from local governments to product producers.
The resolution calls for legislation based on the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework policy adopted by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) in January. The policy goal shifts waste management costs and responsibilities from being solely a local government responsibility to being primarily the responsibility of the producers of products. Producers are incentivized to redesign products to make them less toxic and wasteful, more durable and repairable, and easier to reuse, recycle, and compost.
"Our County is committed to continuing and expanding our support for EPR policies and environmental sustainability," says Supervisor McGoldrick, San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
San Francisco is the largest jurisdiction in California to adopt a resolution that calls for state elected officials to enact legislation supporting the EPR Framework approach. San Francisco's resolution adds to the growing support and momentum toward sustainable production. Other jurisdictions that have adopted similar resolutions include Butte County and the City of San Juan Capistrano.
"San Francisco is a shining example for other jurisdictions," says Heidi Sanborn, CPSC Executive Director. "We anticipate other cities and counties to adopt similar resolutions in the coming weeks and months."
Extended Producer Responsibility is a concept whereby product manufacturers assume primary responsibility for their products' life cycle. The "framework" policy is an alternative to current laws that address individual problem products like fluorescent lamps and batteries. The framework approach establishes consistent principles, clearly defined roles for all, and a transparent process for adding new product types.
Currently the State bans hazardous products from disposal without authority or plans for managing them, resulting in unfunded mandates on local governments and increases in government size, garbage rates, and taxes.
"San Francisco's resolution signals the beginning of the end to local governments providing 'free' disposal services to producers of toxic and throw-away products," says Bill Sheehan, Executive Director, Product Policy Institute, (http://www.productpolicy.org), an organization that works with local governments to promote product stewardship policies.
For more information about CPSC, call Heidi Sanborn at 916-485-7753, or go to http://www.caproductstewardship.org.