MA Product Stewardship Council Lynne Pledger, Coordinator lpledger@cleanwater.org Mass Recycle Conference, March 29, 2011

Impacts Of Product Waste

Climate change

Diminishing resources

Pollution of air and water

Energy shortage

Harm to public health

Financial burden on local governments

E P R

A statewide program that leads to budget relief, well-designed

products, green jobs, and less waste

Why are local governments promoting state laws instead of Federal?

A poor EPR law at the Federal level now would overturn our good state laws.

FIRST ...

We need to build strong grassroots support for EPRin every state.

6

Product Stewardship Councils are forming to promote EPR statewide laws and other stewardship programs.

October 2010

Oregon

Washington

Hawaii

Northwest

California

British Columbia

Nova Scotia

VT

Texas

New

York

Minn.

CT

6 © 2010 Product Policy Institute

MARI

Massachusetts Product Stewardship Council Working for the interests of municipalities

Lower costs for recycling and disposal Product design for the environment More jobs in reuse, repair, and recycling.

“To shift our waste management system fromgovernment funded and taxpayer financed, toone that relies on producer responsibility to reduce public costs and to drive improvementsin product design. Our goals are reduction inwaste and increase in reuse, repair, andrecycling.”

MAPSC MISSION

Council Objectives: Developing and recommending policies and educational tools Providing leadership

Coordinating product stewardship initiatives

Building relationships with stakeholders

Providing a forum for information exchange

Council Formed: Spring of 2010

Membership: MA cities and towns

Steering Committee: Worcester, Springfield, Somerville, Salem, Northampton, Newton,Holyoke, Chicopee, Carlisle, Cambridge

Partners: Mass Recycle, MassDEP, Product Stewardship Institute,Product Policy Institute, Devens Eco-Efficiency Center

MA Municipalities: speaking with one voice

11 © 2010 Product Policy Institute

EPR laws: MA lags behind other Northeast states.

Courtesy of Product Stewardship Institute

Only 1 EPR law in Massachusetts

(2006) Mercury Products law

MA Council focus for this legislative session:

Producer Take-Back for Electronics ("E-Waste”) Representative. Smizik/Senator. Eldridge

Requires brand owners to be responsible for discarded computers and TVs—all costs of collecting and recycling.

What would the e-waste bill save your town ?

NY has an e-waste law; MA does not Oyster Bay, Long Island saves $100,000 --- 33 cents per capita Boston, MA spends $250,000 --- 35 cents per capita

YOUR MUNI’S POPULATION X 34 cents = APPROX. SAVINGS P/Y Find your legislators contact info at http://www.mahouse.gov/People/FindMyLegislator

MA Product Stewardship CouncilAll MA cities and towns welcome. No Dues.

Contact Lynne Pledger, Coordinator lpledger@cleanwater.org

Does your municipality support EPR? Join us !