NYPSC Quarterly Newsletter – Spring 2018

NYPSC Updates
NYPSC Releases 2017 Annual Report
NYPSC Provides Recommendations as Part of DEC Pharmaceutical Take-Back Legislation Stakeholder Meetings
NYPSC Submits Recommendations to Improve Battery Stewardship Bill
Paint Stewardship Bill Clears Senate Unanimously
Five Hospitals Begin Collecting Unused Drugs through NYPSC and Product Stewardship Institute Project

New York State News
NYS DEC Announces 172 New Participants in State’s Pilot Drug Take-Back Program
Plastic Bag Task Force Issues Final Recommendations to Governor and Legislature

National Updates
Connecticut Packaging Task Force Releases Final Recommendations
Household Hazardous Waste EPR Bill Passes Vermont House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife
Webinar Recording Available — Solar Panel Stewardship: The Future is Now
Washington State House Committee on Technology & Economic Development Approves Right to Repair Bill

Events, Webinars, & Conferences

What We’re Reading

NYPSC Updates

NYPSC Releases 2017 Annual Report
NYPSC’s newly released annual report highlights the greatest successes of 2017 and top goals for 2018. Read the report!

NYPSC Provides Recommendations as Part of DEC Pharmaceutical Take-Back Legislation Stakeholder Meetings
When Governor Cuomo vetoed last year’s flawed chain pharmacy bill, he instructed the NYS DEC to develop recommendations for a statewide manufacturer-funded drug take-back program by May 15. NYPSC attended all three of NYS DEC’s roundtable meetings to provide recommendations about best practices and program implementation, and to answer technical questions.

NYPSC Submits Recommendations to Improve Battery Stewardship Bill
While New York has an existing rechargeable battery extended producer responsibility (EPR) law, A 6280-A would establish a primary (single use) battery recycling program paid for and managed by battery manufacturers. The program laid out by the bill could capture nearly 7 million pounds of primary batteries annually. NYPSC strongly supports the intent of the bill, and has proposed revisions that would improve the overall success and sustainability of the program.

Paint Stewardship Bill Clears Senate Unanimously
Paint management expenditures would shift to industry with the passage of paint stewardship legislation (A 1038/S 881). The bill passed the Senate unanimously on January 30, and is expected to be included in the Senate’s one-house budget bill.

Your support can help it pass the Assembly! Use NYPSC’s templates to send in a letter of support or to pass a resolution in support of the paint stewardship program. Please send a copy to Sarah Bonelli so we can track support of the bill.

Five Hospitals Begin Collecting Unused Drugs through NYPSC and Product Stewardship Institute Project
On February 6, five hospitals serving rural New York State began collecting leftover pharmaceuticals from the public free of charge through a pilot program designed and implemented by NYPSC and PSI. More than 2,000 people in New York State die annually from opioid overdose — most commonly from prescription pain relievers. This program will be a model for hospitals across New York and nationwide.

New York State News

NYS DEC Announces 172 New Participants in State’s Pilot Drug Take-Back Program
The NYS DEC announced that 172 new retail pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities have enrolled in its statewide pilot drug take-back program, bringing the total to 246. NYPSC applauds New York State’s commitment to expand safe drug take-back options for our residents, and is hopeful that NYS DEC’s pilot will set the stage for the passage of EPR legislation (S 7354/A 9576) this year. The pilot provides temporary drug disposal options for a small portion of NY residents, but an EPR program will provide long term, sustainable financing and expand convenient drug take-back to the rest of the state.

Plastic Bag Task Force Issues Final Recommendations to Governor and Legislature
The New York Plastic Bag Task Force has issued a report outlining potential solutions to combat bag waste to Governor Cuomo and the state legislature. The recommendations are based on a review of measures already undertaken throughout New York, the U.S., and internationally. The recommendations include a statewide ban, fee, ban/fee hybrid, a manufacturer responsibility program, increased recycling, and education and outreach initiatives. Separately, a new legislative proposal banning plastic bags and calling for a $0.10 fee on paper bags was recently introduced by Senators Krueger and Hoylman (S.7760), same as A.9953 (Englebright).

National Updates

Connecticut Packaging Task Force Releases Final Recommendations
On February 7, the Connecticut Task Force to Study Methods for Reducing Consumer Packaging that Generates Solid Waste released its final recommendations to reduce consumer packaging statewide. The Task Force majority voted against pursuing EPR.

The next step is to educate municipal officials and others about the significant benefits of EPR and how it works. Municipalities will reap significant cost savings and increased recycling, while maintaining control of waste management programs. Judicious brand owners will reach their waste reduction goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lead their industry. Waste haulers and processors will receive higher quality material, capture new business opportunities, and be well positioned to endure paradigm shifts like China’s National Sword that has significantly reduced imports of recyclables. Once we overcome the fear of change, we can clear the path to a better system for packaging recovery.

Household Hazardous Waste EPR Bill Passes Vermont House Committee on Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife
Thanks to strong leadership by the Vermont Product Stewardship Council and thorough stakeholder meetings facilitated by the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Vermont House’s environmental committee approved H 560, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill for HHW. The Appropriations and Ways & Means Committees will assess the bill before it moves to the Senate. If passed, Vermont will enjoy EPR for HHW by 2020.

Webinar Recording Available — Solar Panel Stewardship: The Future is Now
As the U.S. solar energy industry grows, we must be prepared to recycle solar modules at their end of life. Europe, the international leader of solar panel stewardship for over a decade, has shown that EPR is an effective solution. On PSI’s webinar, speakers from Washington State, the recycling industry, and one of Europe’s solar panel stewardship organizations discussed Washington’s groundbreaking solar panel EPR law, the benefits of solar panel recycling, and how you can take the lead in advancing solar panel stewardship. Download the slides and recording!

Washington State House Committee on Technology & Economic Development Approves Right to Repair Bill
In January, the Washington state House Committee on Technology & Economic Development recommended the Fair Repair bill, HB 2279, for passage. The bill would require manufacturers of digital electronic products to make service documentation, tools, access to parts, firmware, and diagnostics available to product owners and repair shops, thereby reducing avoidable early disposal of those products and supporting a competitive repair market.

Events, Webinars, and Conferences

  • Global Recycling Day | March 18 | More Information
  • An Introduction to Lithium Batteries and the Challenges that they Pose to the Waste and Recycling Industry | U.S. EPA Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Web Academy | Thursday, March 22 1pm – 2:30 pm ET | Register
  • National Prescription Drug Take Back Day | U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration | April 28 | More Information
  • Strive For Sustainability Solid Waste & Recycling Conference | Federation of NY Solid Waste Associations | May 20-23, 2018 | Register (early bird rates open until April 17)

What We’re Reading