News

Multi-Material British Columbia (MMBC), the stewardship organization for the packaging and printed paper (PPP) extended producer responsibility (EPR) program in British Columbia, Canada, released their 2014 annual report, in which they exceeded "the regulated target of 75%." — PAC NEXT fall newsletter

Rechargeable battery stewardship organization Call2Recycle explained the rationale for EPR programs: "all companies that put batteries into the marketplace should pay for the recycling. But approximately 30% of batteries we collect are from ‘free riders’ – battery brands that are recycled through our program but are not financially contributing to Call2Recycle...

The Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR) hosted an August 12, 2015 webinar (the state of the art of extended producer responsibility) on extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and how they are and should be organized and implemented, resulting in what Resource Recycling called a "fierce discussion." ILSR made the entire webinar recording and slides available on 

PaintCare and the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) seek proposals for two paint projects: a source reduction study and an Oregon consumer awareness survey. Deadline for each proposal is Sept. 18, 2015.

The Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hiring a Senior Policy Analyst in its Materials Management Section in Portland, OR, supporting the implementation of Materials Management in Oregon: 2050 Vision and Framework for Action.

Connecticut's mattress producer responsibility program (rebranded as "Bye Bye Mattress" but operated by the Mattress Recycling Council or MRC) began May 1, 2015. According to the MRC July 2 program update newsletter, more than 6000 mattresses were collected and recycled statewide in May, from over 60 cities, towns, and other large quantity generators in Connecticut.

In 2012, Alameda County, California (PDF) became the first county in the nation to require pharmaceutical companies to pay for the safe disposal of prescription medication. Trade associations representing drug manufacturers sued and lost in federal district court and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Update and reauthorization of TSCA continues to gain momentum in Congress. In the U.S. Senate, the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S. 697, known as the "Vitter-Udall bill") has 40 diverse co-sponsors at this writing. The U.S.

JMK Fibers handles recyclables from single stream curbside collection and other materials from throughout the Puget Sound region. PAC NEXT and Waste Management are sponsoring a tour of and networking lunch at JMK Fibers in Tacoma on June 23, 2015: there is a $30 fee to cover costs, including lunch.

Substitute House Bill 1571 passed out of the House Environment Committee on Feb. 12, 2015 with an amendment to exempt the paint stewardship assessment from the B&O tax; watch TVW video of the Feb. 5 hearing (~40-minutes).