The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) and Republic Services, Inc. have partnered to support the concept and implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), otherwise known as Product Stewardship.
We are not just "waste haulers" anymore; we are waste stream materials managers," said Johnnie Perkins, western regional director of Republic Services, which donated $10,000 towards the partnership.
EPR is a policy approach that places a shared responsibility for end-of-life product management on the producers and all entities involved in the product chain, instead of solely being a local government responsibility with costs passed on to the taxpayers and ratepayers. EPR also encourages product design changes that minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment. EPR drives innovative, thoughtful "green" design and self-sustaining take-back systems that are convenient for consumers.
CPSC Chair Rob D'Arcy said that, "for too long the burden of end-of-life management of problem products such as fluorescent lights, household batteries, sharps and other products have been placed on local governments."
Local governments in California spend over $100,000,000 every year collecting and managing products that are banned from landfills.
"We are sending a signal to product manufacturers they can play a key role not only in managing their products but in redesigning them to be less toxic and more recyclable," said Heidi Sanborn, CPSC executive director.
CPSC is leading California's waste management reform by providing outreach and education about EPR.
For more information about EPR and statewide efforts by the CPSC, contact:
Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director
Tel: 916- 402-3911
Web: http://www.calpsc.org .
For more information about Republic Services go to http://www.republicservices.com