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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-26 EMC - EPR Program - Agenda 6a(i)2019 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan Update County of Hawaii its outreach to encourage participating grocery stores to increase the financial discount for using reusable bags. Cost Considerations. This option would require additional staff time and funding for additional materials. 3.5.9 Expand Source Reduction Education A key to successful reuse programs is the education of the staff (government, private for-profit, and nonprofit) who operate the facilities within the program. Once staff have been trained on program basics, they will need to develop systems to implement programs for the public. The methods for providing materials to markets include retail sales, dismantling for recycling, and ensuring materials reach markets accessible to the public. Chapter 5 Public Education and Information includes a series of proposed enhancements to the County's education and promotion programs. 3.5.10 Establish Extended Producer Responsibility Policy As previously described, EPR is a policy tool that extends manufacturer's responsibilities to include responsibility for life cycle costs of their products and associated packaging. This approach has been successfully implemented in various communities throughout Europe and Canada, as well as parts of the United States. When considering the life cycle of a product, manufacturers should take into consideration the environmental footprint of a product, from its beginning to end of life. Through EPR, the responsibilities and life cycle costs of their products and packaging shift from municipalities towards manufacturers. For instance, through EPR, producers analyze the natural resource, energy, packaging, and transportation - associated costs and impacts of their products (MacKerron 2012). In 2012, 32 states enacted greater than 70 producer responsibility laws, including products such as batteries, telephones, paint, pesticide containers, carpet, and fluorescent lamps. However, none of these programs took into consideration product packaging (MacKerron 2012). Around the globe, British Columbia mandated a fully funded EPR paper and plastic packaging program by manufacturers in 2014 (Resource Recycling Inc. 2016); after 1 year, the province reported a 77 percent recovery rate. In Europe, since the European Union's adoption of EPR in 1994, 25 member states have enacted national packaging policies and achieved a 65 percent recycling rate in 2012 (EUROPEN 2018). Some policy statements the County may want to consider include the following: • Express support for state and federal policies to eliminate subsidies, internalize externalities for virgin material production and wasting, and involve producers in taking physical and/or financial responsibility for their products and packaging through reuse, repair, or recycling. • Express support for state and County agencies to support product stewardship, by creating a state/counties coalition to work towards EPR, along with other active states. • Express support for policies designed to relieve local taxpayers from the burden of managing wastes they have no control over. This could include identifying specific product categories that have the greatest impact on local programs. • Express support for mandatory recycled content, as well as "cradle -to -cradle" product take -back and recycling services. Insist that the cost of the programs be paid by manufacturers and internalized into the cost of their products. 3-16 August 2020 2019 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan Update County of Hawaii EPR framework policy and legislation can be drawn from successful programs implemented in California, Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota, as well as other areas of the world including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Cost Considerations. To implement this option, the County would need to invest some ongoing staff time and potential consulting assistance for research, policy analysis, and drafting legislation. The price of some products affected by EPR programs could increase depending on implementation. 3.5.11 Create a Zero Waste Fi_jnd To encourage local innovation and participation, the County would fund community zero waste initiatives with fees levied on landfill disposal. The County could leverage private sector investments by adopting supportive policies and by providing technical assistance, matching funds, and letters of support for independent financing and/or grants. The more that nonprofits and private companies invest in expansion of reuse, recycling, and composting programs, the less the County needs to invest. The County could also identify and support proposals for state, federal, and foundation grants and loans for local zero waste businesses and service providers. For example, in Boulder, Colorado, the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division distributes $50,000 annually as part of its Zero Waste Funding Program. Since 1997, they have awarded over one million dollars for education and infrastructure initiatives to businesses, residents, and governments. Cost Considerations. The cost of this option would depend on the extent to which the County elects to fund this program. Some added staff time would be necessary to develop and administer the program. 3.5.12 Public -Private Partnerships with Community -Based Organizations A survey of the reuse industry (e.g., Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity) on the island would be beneficial. Other nonprofits or businesses may be interested in participating in reuse programs within the County. The County could convene a meeting of interested parties to determine the level of interest, evaluate what challenges such a program would face, and identify potential mechanisms to assist with initiation of the program. Independent community-based organizations (CBOs) may see this as an opportunity. They are potentially available to take on repairing and refurbishing as well as dismantling of discarded items into recyclable commodities. Cost Considerations. Some added staff time would be necessary to develop and administer the program. 3.6 Recommendations Based on the analysis presented above, and discussions with the SWAC, the Plan recommends the following to improve the source reduction program: 1. Develop County policies or ordinances that mandate certain actions be taken to reduce the source of waste currently entering landfills, including: Develop a County ordinance that requires a waste reduction plan be submitted to obtain a commercial building permit. Coordinate implementation with the County Planning Department. Work with other counties to develop EPR policy statements or resolutions expressing strong support for initiatives that require manufacturers of certain products or materials to take responsibility for the life cycle costs of their products. As a component of the EPR policy, August 2020 3-17