180 likes | 286 Views
Transitioning to Full Producer Responsibility for Household Hazardous Waste NAHMMA NW Chapter Conference 6/25/2014. Today’s agenda. Introductions Background Why EPR for HHW? Canadian Programs Key elements What products to cover Financing Services – role of HHW infrastructure
E N D
Transitioning to Full Producer Responsibility for Household Hazardous WasteNAHMMA NW Chapter Conference6/25/2014
Today’s agenda Introductions Background • Why EPR for HHW? • Canadian Programs Key elements • What products to cover • Financing • Services – role of HHW infrastructure • Performance standards Next steps
EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility • [a] manufacturer's responsibility for its product extends to post-consumer management of that product… • financial and management responsibility, with government oversight, [shifts] upstream to the manufacturer and away from the public sector • Provid[es] incentives to producers to incorporate environmental considerations into the design of their products and packaging. • Product Stewardship Institute; California Product Stewardship Institute; Upstream (formerly Product Policy Institute)
Why EPR for HHW? From the HHW collection program point of view: • Helps us fully achieve our mission • Helps us financially
The HHW “Mission” • Protect human and health and the environment by providing effective and environmentally sound management of HHW that is generated (in spite of our best efforts at source reduction) • Many HHW programs are doing a valiant job of collecting the HHW generated in their region, but resources are limited, and we are not getting it all • With a robust EPR program, we can finally get pretty darn near all of the HHW generated
Why EPR for HHW • It should be as easy to get rid of a product as it is to buy it • Make it easy for people to do the right thing • Fairness: • “polluter pays” principle • Industry is in the best position to take responsibility
Benefits • PaintCare has saved Metro ~ $1 million annually • We believe another $2 million savings annually with wide-ranging EPR for HHW But - it’s important to make sure EPR benefits urban, rural, large & small HHW programs!
Canadian programs EPR programs for a variety of HHW products in these provinces: • British Columbia • Manitoba • Ontario see handout
Key EPR Elements • What’s covered? • How are things paid for? • What services provided and how arranged for? • What’s required: • of stewards? • of government?
Key EPR Elements • What’s covered? • How designated – lists, standards? • Who’s responsible? • Single or multiple stewards? • How are things paid for? • Eco fees, cost internalization? • How are services arranged? • Collection, consolidation, facilities, events? • What’s required: of stewards? of government? • Convenience; “rates and dates”; plan review
EPR Elements Today’s focus • Coverage • Financing • Services • Performance • Other Key Elements • Promotion/education • Goals – rates & dates • Reporting • Enforcement • DEQ role (oversight, fees to) • Disposal bans
Today’s Product Coverage Focus The “other stuff” • Flammables (e.g., solvents) • Pesticides • Corrosives • Other toxics & hazardous materials Works in progress • Paint (covered) • Mercury lights • Batteries • Primary & Rechargeables • Sharps • Pharmaceuticals
Coverage – Q’s for discussion Working assumption – Use criteria similar to Canadian standards • What can we learn from Canadian experience? • Covered products • What makes a good list? • What likely to be biggest problems? • Non-covered products • How much non-covered comes in? • How critical to keep communicating to public that we take all?
Financing – Q’s for discussion Working assumption: no government approved fees • Why? • Too many products; too costly for government • How to handle “free riders”? • How can producers recover costs from supply chain without government approved fee? • Other methods?
Services – Q’s for discussion Working assumptions: Stewards negotiate with existing permanent HHW facilities; collection events historically expensive • What costs – direct, indirect (capital, O&M) should HHW programs take to the table? • How do costs for non-covered and orphaned products figure into this discussion?
Performance requirements – Q’s for discussion Working assumption: At least status quo plus -what’s collected now plus more service in underserved areas • How can we establish what more should be? Beyond more? • How coordinate with other HHW efforts (e.g., paint)?
Next steps Further develop legislative concept If you would like to be involved in further discussion, please sign clipboard