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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-038 (2)Resolution RESOLUTION OF THE BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SUPPORTING EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY WHEREAS, approximately 170,000 tons of discarded materials and products are currently sent to disposal from our community on an annual basis at a cost of $32.00 per ton; and WHEREAS, on February $, 200b 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 frown landfills will continue to grow as demonstrated by the ban of treated wood effective January 2007 and sharps in September 2008; and WHEREAS, state policies currently make Iocal 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 Butte County 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, rnake no profit from fine 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, the Butte County Board of Supervisors supports statewide efforts to hold producers responsible far 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, the County of Butte wishes to incorporate EPR policies into the and County's product procurement practices to reduce casts and protect the environment; and WHEREAS, the California Integrated Waste Management Board has adopted Strategic Directives to begin developing statewide EPR programs. NOW, THEREFORE BE YT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD that the Butte County Board of Supervisors 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; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Butte County Board of Supervisors 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; and BE YT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Administrative Offtcer of the County of Butte 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; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chair of Butte County Board of Supervisors be authorized to sign the California Product Stewardship Council {CPSC} Pledge of Support and participate by contributing $1504.00 to CPSC to educate and advocate for EPR policies and programs; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Butte 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; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Butte develop producer responsibility policies such as leasing products rather than purchasing them and requiring producers to offer less toxic alternatives and to take responsibility for collecting and recycling their products and the end of their useful life. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors, State of California on this 8t~' day of April, 2008 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Connelly, Dolan, Kirk, Yamaguchi, and Chair Josiassen NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None C 7osiassen, Chair tte County Board of Supervisors ATTEST: C.l and By.