NYPSC Quarterly Newsletter – Autumn 2018

NYPSC Updates
New York Governor Signs Drug Take-Back Act
In Midst of Recycling Crisis, NYPSC Explores Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging
NYPSC and Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) Release Hospital Drug Take-Back Pilot Results
NY State Senate Passes Revised Paint Stewardship Bill. Is the Assembly Ready to Take Action?

New York State News
NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Announces Fourth Round of E-Waste Recycling Grants
NYSDEC Releases Report on Pharmaceutical Stewardship
Governor Cuomo Directs NYSDEC to Launch New Effort to Improve Recycling in New York
Courts Reinstate NYC Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Ban

National Product Stewardship Updates
PSI Releases Sample Plastic Pollution Prevention Policies and Plastic Reduction Guide for Restaurants
New Study: Needle Stick Injury Rate is 3.9 per 100 MRF Picking Line Workers
Report from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Urges Governments to Crack Down on Online Free-riders
Next Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Take Back Day: October 27, 2018

Events, Webinars, & Conferences

What We’re Reading

NYPSC Updates

New York Governor Signs Drug Take-Back Act
On July 10, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Drug Take-Back Act, which requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to finance and manage the safe collection and disposal of unused medications. The law, sponsored by Senator Hannon and Assemblywoman Gunther, requires pharmacies with ten or more U.S. locations to participate as drug collection sites to help ensure convenient access for residents. Program implementation will begin in mid-2019. Learn more.

In Midst of Recycling Crisis, NYPSC Explores Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging
The recycling crisis has painfully exposed fundamental flaws in the current recycling system, which relies on municipalities to pick up the cost of managing waste products and packaging from which companies profit.

NYPSC sees the ongoing crisis as a potential opportunity. An EPR system for packaging would require brand owners to responsibly manage their products after consumers use them – thus rewarding companies that use less material, switch to readily-recyclable options, and incorporate a higher percentage of recycled content in packaging. NYPSC is exploring how packaging EPR could benefit the materials management economy of the future in New York State.

NYPSC and Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) Release Hospital Drug Take-Back Pilot Results
In February, five hospitals began collecting pharmaceuticals from the public through a PSI and New York Product Stewardship Council pilot program. During the six month program, they collectively diverted more than 1,500 pounds of unwanted medications from home medicine cabinets. All five hospitals voluntarily continued collections at the end of the program due to strong support from their patients and staff. In September, PSI held a webinar to explore lessons learned from the project’s success. Download the recording.

NY State Senate Passes Revised Paint Stewardship Bill. Is the Assembly Ready to Take Action?
Within the last week of this year’s legislative session, a compromise “same-as” bill was proposed between the NYS Senate and Assembly. The compromise bill retracted references to a paint recycling fee that consumers would pay at the point of purchase, and created a cost internalization model to cover expenses associated with the recovery and processing of all leftover paint. The compromise bill passed the Senate, but it did not reach the Assembly floor for a vote before the end of the 2018 legislative session in June. The bill is expected to be re-introduced in early 2019.

New York State News

NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Announces Fourth Round of E-Waste Recycling Grants
From January 1, 2019 to February 28, 2019, NYSDEC will accept applications for the Electronic Waste Assistance Grants (EWAG) to assist New York municipalities with the cost to collect and recycle electronic waste. The grant program will reimburse up to 50% of eligible expenses incurred in 2018.

For years, manufacturer funding for e-waste recycling through the legislated electronics recycling program has fallen short of the need, forcing local programs to either shut down or pay for recycling. This state funding is helpful in the short term, but more effective regulations – and, potentially, an amended state law – are needed to create a fully effective statewide electronics recycling program.

NYSDEC Releases Report on Pharmaceutical Stewardship
On June 1, NYSDEC released a report recommending that an independent stewardship organization implement statewide take-back funded by drug manufacturers. The report also recommends that all pharmacies (chain and independent) host take-back receptacles and provide mail-back envelopes unless the pharmacy obtains a hardship waiver. NYPSC participated in NYSDEC stakeholder meetings that informed development of the report.

Governor Cuomo Directs NYSDEC to Launch New Effort to Improve Recycling in New York
To address changes in recycling markets, Governor Cuomo directed NYSDEC to identify new actions and initiatives to improve recycling in New York. NYSDEC is convening stakeholder meetings to identify solutions and strategize how New York can bolster new markets, help municipalities address these challenges, and build capacity in the state and northeast region.

Courts Reinstate NYC Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Ban
A state judge ruled in favor of New York City’s EPS ban, which has been contested since 2013 when the Restaurant Action Alliance NYC and EPS manufacturers first fought to block the legislation. The city plans to enforce the ban in 2019.

National Product Stewardship Updates

PSI Releases Sample Plastic Pollution Prevention Policies and Plastic Reduction Guide for Restaurants
The Guide, which features case studies from restaurants in Greenport, NY, will help restaurant owners nationally make smart decisions to reduce the disposable plastics that litter our land and waterways. It features an innovative online Plastic Footprint Tool and Foodware Costs Calculator to estimate savings achievable by reducing plastic.

The Guide also presents strong sample legislation to help governments take action on products like bags, bottles, and straws.

New Study: Needle Stick Injury Rate is 3.9 per 100 MRF Picking Line Workers
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation and the Solid Waste Association of North America, released the results of a study of needlestick injuries at U.S. recycling facilities, estimating an annual cost of $2.25 million for patient treatment and monitoring. The study confirms that sharps are a common contaminant in the residential waste stream and a threat to the physical and psychological health of waste industry workers.

Report from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Urges Governments to Crack Down on Online Free-riders
Electronics producers in the E.U. are required to collect and recycle their products at the end of life. But online sellers often evade these requirements, placing an unfair burden on compliant producers. The report urges governments in the E.U., U.S., and Canada to crack down on the free-riders, and offers measures that could help.

Next Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Take Back Day: October 27, 2018
Since 2010, the DEA has collected almost 10 million pounds of drugs at 15 take-back events. The tremendous success of these events demonstrates the need for a permanent solution. NYPSC recommends pharmacy-based drug take-back funded by drug manufacturers, which is the most convenient and accessible option.

Events, Webinars, and Conferences

  • Free webinar recording: Lessons Learned from Hospital Drug Take-Back Programs | Product Stewardship Institute | Download
  • Free webinar: Global Best Practices: Packaging EPR’s Role in Advancing the Circular Economy | Product Stewardship Institute | October 31 | 11:00am – 12:30pm ET | Register
  • Annual Recycling Conference | New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling | November 7-8 | Cooperstown, NY | Register
  • Free webinar: Paint Stewardship 101 | Product Stewardship Institute | November 14 | 2:30pm-4:00pm ET | Register
  • Free webinar: Advanced Paint Stewardship | Product Stewardship Institute | Date and Time TBA | Registration coming soon
  • Upcoming webinar: Global Best Practices in Medical Sharps EPR | Product Stewardship Institute | November 29 | 2:30pm – 4:00pm ET | Registration coming soon

What We’re Reading