PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP UPDATES |
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PSI is a lean nonprofit organization – 85% of our funding goes to staff – but our work is powerful. Over the past two decades, we have helped enact the 130 laws across 16 categories that now safely and effectively manage products and packaging in 33 states – protecting the environment, reducing costs for taxpayers, and creating jobs. When it comes to end-of-year giving, we hope that you will consider donating to PSI.
This month, Christine and Paul Carr, along with two anonymous supporters, have generously offered to match donations up to $3,000. Will you please step into our donor circle with them?
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Chemical Recycling Report Launches with Webinar
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More than 40 companies are working to develop or manage “chemical recycling” projects in the United States. This month, ExxonMobil announced 13 projects in the pipeline with the capacity to recycle 1.1 billion pounds of plastic by 2026. And as many as 20 states have enacted laws that allow chemical recycling plants to be permitted as manufacturing facilities. Yet government policy makers tasked with passing legislation or issuing permits for chemical recycling projects lack criteria to assess their economic, environmental, and human health impacts.
Our new report, “Making Sense of Chemical Recycling,” aims to fill that gap. The report, which is free and available to the public, was published on November 17th when we hosted the “EPR Masterclass: Chemical Recycling” webinar presented by the Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance (EXPRA). Our multi-stakeholder panel of experts from the United States and Europe discussed which, if any, chemical recycling technologies can support a sustainable economy, prevent waste and pollution, and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Click here to watch the video or download the report.
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Packaging EPR Laws: How Do They Compare? |
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In the last two years, packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation was enacted in four states. So how do they compare? In this summary comparison, we used PSI’s Elements of Effective EPR Legislation to analyze similarities and differences in the laws, which will impact new legislation that we expect to be introduced in a significant number of states in the coming year. This is one in a multi-part series; this blog focuses on what materials are covered under these laws. Read more on the blog.
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Will Hochul's Re-Election Affect Carpet EPR? |
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Congratulations to New York Governor Kathy Hochul! What does this mean for carpet? Last May, the state’s carpet EPR bill passed both the Senate and Assembly; when enacted, New York will become the second U.S. state, along with California, to enact a carpet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law. These laws significantly increase carpet recycling and reduce toxics in the manufacturing of new carpet – and New York’s would be the first to include artificial turf. We hope to see the Governor’s signature soon! Click here to learn more about how this legislation will impact New York – and the nation.
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Members and Partners receive regular legislative updates and can track EPR bills and laws in our Legislation Library.
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PSI’s CEO and founder, Scott Cassel, recently published a letter to The Boston Globe editors on how Massachusetts' recently-enacted textile and mattress ban, a key part of the state’s plan to reduce waste disposal by 30 percent over the next decade, could be complemented by mattress EPR legislation, which was introduced this year.
PEW Stateline highlighted PSI’s work to “push Extended Producer Responsibility legislation around the country… [because of the] overall environmental benefits of reducing the emissions and waste that comes from producing plastic packaging,” and cited Scott as anticipating that “recent state legislative action will bring a significant change to waste management in the United States.”
Analysis of the impact of midterm elections on plastics policy, published by Plastics News, quoted Scott, who forecasted more EPR packaging legislation in the near future. “‘Based upon the results from the elections…I would say it looks very good,’ he said, noting Maryland, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, in particular, have been very active on EPR.”
Resource Recycling presented thorough reporting on our recent chemical recycling webinar, concluding with a quote from panelist Dr. Veena Singla, Senior Scientist at the NRDC’s Healthy People & Thriving Communities Program. “We need to be making sure any recycling technology that’s employed meets human health and environmental standards,” she said.
WasteDive also reported on the chemical recycling webinar: “Conversations about specific technologies and their impacts could help states make more informed policy decisions when considering how or if chemical recycling fits into extended producer responsibility legislation, speakers said.”
PSI’s model is utilized at all levels of government: Westchester County recently cited our work on paint EPR in a mention of the PaintCare Program.
E-Scrap News referenced a presentation co-hosted by PSI and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on potential updates to the state’s electronics recycling program.
LP Gas referenced PSI’s definition of EPR in its recent article on Connecticut’s new gas cylinder EPR program.
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On December 7th, Scott will travel to Paris to present as part of the 10 year anniversary celebration for DASTRI, the PRO responsible for sharps EPR management in France.
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H2 Compliance, a consultancy of LANDBELL GROUP, the PSI Partner that recently presented our “Powering Up for Battery EPR” webinar, helps companies achieve not only compliance, but enhanced product safety and sustainability through a variety of customized regulatory and product stewardship services. These services enable companies to create sustainable compliance strategies, enhance chemical compliance locally and globally, minimize the resources needed to bring a new chemical or product to market, and help to future-proof product portfolios in anticipation of changes to the regulatory landscape. The services are underpinned by customized software solutions to help data gathering, management, and regulatory analysis for products and packaging. H2 Compliance’s product stewardship services support clients across a product’s lifecycle, from design to manufacturing to end-of-life circularity. Learn more by clicking here.
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In honor of America Recycles Day, the U.S. EPA announced $100 million in funding to build solid waste infrastructure for recycling and establish related consumer outreach and education programs, with applications for funding due January 16th and explanatory webinars scheduled throughout the month. Click here for more information.
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The Product Stewardship Institute is a policy advocate and consulting 501(c)(3) nonprofit that powers the emerging circular economy. We rely on the generosity of our members, partners, and supporters to convene diverse stakeholders to build extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, programs, and laws. Thank you!
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The Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Persons with disabilities who require alternatively formatted materials to ensure effective communication should contact Amanda Nicholson at amanda@productstewardship.us or 617.236.4855, TTY: use 711 or 800-439-2730; MassRelay.
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