HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2008-050 N.C.S. 03/17/2008Resolution No. 2008-050 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
SUPPORTING EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY TO SHIFT
RESPONSIBILITY IN MANAGING HAZARDOUS WASTE
AWAY FROM GENERAL TAXPAYERS AND BACK TO MANUFACTURERS
WHEREAS, approximately 30,000 tons of discarded materials and products are
currently sent to disposal from our community on an annual basis, at a cost of $53.10 per ton;
and,
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2006 California's Universal Waste Rule (CCR, Title 22,
Division 4.5, Chapter 23) became effective; and,
WHEREAS, the Universal Waste Rule bans landfill disposal of certain products that are
deemed hazardous, including household batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, thermostats and
other items that contain mercury, as well as electronic devices such as video cassette recorders,
microwave ovens, cellular phones, cordless phones, printers, and radios; and,
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the list of universal and other waste products
determined to be hazardous, and therefore, banned from landfills will continue to grow as
demonstrated by the ban of treated wood effective January 2007; and,
WHEREAS, state policies currently make local governments responsible for achieving
waste diversion goals and enforcing product disposal bans, both of which are unfunded
mandates; and,
WHEREAS, universal waste management costs are currently paid by taxpayers and rate
payers of the City of Petaluma area and are expected to increase substantially in the short term
unless policy changes are made; and,
WHEREAS, local governments have no input on the design of the products, make no
profit from the products, and do not have the resources to adequately address the rising volume
of discarded products; and,
WHEREAS, costs paid by local governments to manage products are, in effect, subsidies
to the producers of hazardous products and products designed for disposal; and,
WHEREAS, not including e-waste, in 2007, the cost to Sonoma County to properly
dispose of 30,076 pounds of HID bulbs, sodium bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, mercury
articles, lithium batteries, NiCd batteries, and household batteries cost over $16,560.45; and,
WHEREAS, the cost to properly dispose of 174,249 feet of fluorescent tubes cost
$24,394.86 in 2007; and,
WHEREAS, a total of 16,494 residents participated in Sonoma County's household
hazardous waste programs for 2007; and,
Resolution No. 2008-050 N.C.S. Page I
WHEREAS, if Sonoma County were able to collect all of the batteries and fluorescent
bulbs generated in Sonoma County, such a service cost would amount to more than all of the
other current household hazardous waste programs combined; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Petaluma supports statewide efforts to hold
producers responsible for universal waste products and other product waste management costs;
and,
WHEREAS, there are significant environmental and human health impacts associated
with improper management of universal waste products; and,
WHEREAS, extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach in which
producers assume responsibility for management of waste products and which has been shown to
be effective; and,
WHEREAS, when producers are responsible for ensuring their products are reused or
recycled responsibly, and when health and environmental costs are included in the product price,
there is an incentive to design products that are more durable, easier to repair and recycle, and
less toxic; and,
WHEREAS, EPR framework legislation establishes transparent and fair principles and
procedures for applying EPR to categories of products for which improved design and
management infrastructure is in the public interest; and,
WHEREAS, the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) is an organization of
California local governments working to speak with one voice in promoting transparent and fair
EPR systems in California; and,
WHEREAS, Sonoma County wishes to incorporate EPR policies into the City's and
County's product procurement practices to reduce costs and protect the environment; and,
WHEREAS, the California Integrated Waste Management Board has adopted Strategic
Directives to begin developing statewide EPR programs; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma urges the California Integrated Waste Management Board to continue taking timely
action to implement the Strategic Directive #5 on Producer Responsibility to manage universal
and other wastes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Petaluma urges the
California Legislature to enact framework EPR legislation that shifts universal and other waste
management costs from local government to the producers of the product, and which will give
producers the incentive to redesign products to make them less toxic and easier to reuse and
recycle.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager of the City of Petaluma be
authorized to send letters to the League of California Cities, the California State Association of
Counties, and the California Integrated Waste Management Board, and the State legislature and
to use other advocacy methods to urge support for EPR framework legislation.
Resolution No. 2008-050 N.C.S. Page 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Petaluma supports the mission of the
California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) in educating and advocating for EPR policies
and programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Petaluma
encourages all manufacturers to share in the responsibility for eliminating waste through
minimizing excess packaging, designing products for durability, reusability and the ability to be
recycled; using recycled materials in the manufacture of new products; and providing financial
support for collection, processing, recycling, or disposal of used materials.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Petaluma supports development of
producer responsibility policies which will require producers to offer less toxic alternatives and
to take responsibility for collecting and recycling their products at the end of their useful life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Petaluma does
hereby reaffirm that certain Resolution No. 2001-021 of the Sonoma County Waste Management
Agency, dated June 20, 2001, supporting extended producer responsibility. The City of
Petaluma, as a participating member of the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
approved the initial 2001 Resolution, herein attached.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 171h day of March,
2008, by the following vote:
AYES: Barrett, Freitas, Harris, Nau, O'Brien, Vice Mayor Rabbitt, Mayor Torliatt
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Approved as to
form:
Assistant City .Attorney
Resolution No. 2008-050 N.C.S. Page 3
ATTACHMENT TO
RESOLUTION 2008-050 N.C.S.
ORIGINAL
RESOLUTION NO. 20 01-0 21
Dated: June 20, 2001
RESOLUTION
OF THE SONOMA COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT AGENCY("AGENCY") SUPPORTING
EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY (-EPR ')
WI-EREAS, more consumer goods and products are being designated or determined to be
hazardous waste upon disposal; and
WHEREAS, it is important to remove hazardous waste from disposal in Sonoma County's Central
Landfill to protect the environment and public beatth; and
WHEREAS, Agency has a limited budget to manage bazardous wastes, and a limited ability to
raise more funds without imposing unreasonable costs on county residents; and
WHEREAS, Agency supports the premise that coiisumers'should be made aware of the full cost of
their purchases at the time of purcbase, allowing for more infp.qried. choice; and
WFIEREAS, Agency believes that less toua formufations,'altemative products and/or'greater
durability, recyclability and reusability of products will increase .beca�a manufacturers have
responsibility for their products at the end of their useful life; and `
WI-M-REAS, inthe.inte4st pf long to¢n.econouno-health,-.resource eustainability,:eavironmental
protection, public health and safF and limiting Agency's future liability, it is desirable to support efforts
that extend manufacturer respontMilityigigoods anrfprodncts they create to include their final
disposition.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT RESOLVED that the Agency hereby declares its support for
Extended Producer Responsibility policies and supports governmental and non -governmental
organizations in the effort to develop such policies.
MEMBERS:
AYE AYE AYE AYE AYE..
5antaRosa Cloverdale County Sonoma Windsor
AYE AYE AYE AYE
Sebastopol Petaluma Healdsburg Cotati
AYES -10-NOES -0-ABSENT-a-ABSTAIN -o-
AYE
Rohr=t Park
The within Instrument is a correct copy
of the original on file with this office.
�A.liL�_ i] E. G _ /
Allo!
Clerk of(, hs Sonoma County Waste
Mang gementAgencyofthe State of California,
In and forthe County of Sonoma.
Resolution No. 2008-050 N.C.S. Page 4