NYPSC Updates
Paint Stewardship Bill (S.881 (O’Mara)) and Drug Take Back Bill (S.7354 (Hannon)) Pass NYS Senate
NYPSC and Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) Release Drug Take-Back Toolkit for Medical Professionals
As of April 30, NYPSC’s Drug Take-back Pilot has Collected More than 655 Pounds of Drugs
NYPSC Warmly Welcomes New Board Member Luann Meyer
National Product Stewardship Updates
Washington State Drug Take-Back Bill Signed into Law
Vermont Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Bill Passes House of Representatives
Webinars Explore Stewardship for Used Oil, Pharmaceuticals, and Tires
Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) Puts Up $1m to Collect Illegally Dumped Mattresses in California
Events, Webinars, & Conferences
NYPSC Updates
Paint Stewardship Bill (S.881 (O’Mara)) and Drug Take Back Bill (S.7354 (Hannon)) Pass NYS Senate
New York bill S 881, which would establish the nation’s tenth paint stewardship program, passed the state Senate 57-2. Its companion bill, A 1038 (Stirpe), has over 80 co-sponsors in the Assembly, enough to pass the bill if it reaches the Assembly floor, however, it remains stalled in the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee. The Drug Take Back Act, S 7354 (Hannon), also passed the Senate this year; further action on the Assembly’s companion bill (A.9576 (Gunther)) is awaited by the Assembly Health Committee in order to move the bill forward.
NYPSC and Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) Release Drug Take-Back Toolkit for Medical Professionals
On May 7, NYPSC and PSI released a free Drug Take-Back Toolkit for Medical Professionals. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals nationwide will use these materials to educate their peers and their patients about safe drug disposal. The material was developed through a PSI and NYPSC drug take-back pilot. The five participating hospitals began distributing the material to doctors and patients in May.
As of April 30, NYPSC’s Drug Take-back Pilot has Collected More than 655 Pounds of Drugs
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. As of April 30, the hospitals had collected more than 655 pounds of unwanted drugs from the public through drug drop-off kiosks and prepaid mail-back envelopes. Collections will continue through July 2018.
NYPSC Warmly Welcomes New Board Member Luann Meyer
Luann Meyer is the Solid Waste Administrator for Monroe County, where she manages the County’s solid waste and recycling facilities and programs. Monroe County’s solid waste management system consists of six (6) key facilities including: the Mill Seat Landfill, the Monroe County Recycling Center, the Monroe County Resource Recovery Facility, the ecopark, the Avion Drive Compost Facility, and the Vanlare Compost Facility. Luann is also involved in the County’s educational programs to help increase the County’s waste diversion rate and encourage people to Recycle Right. Prior to her current position, Luann worked at Barton & Loguidice, DPC as a Project Manager. Luann received a B.S. in Environmental Management from Rochester Institute of Technology. Luann also sits on the NY-SWANA Chapter Board of Directors and represents the Chapter on the SWANA International Board.
National Product Stewardship Updates
Washington State Drug Take-Back Bill Signed into Law
Over half of opioid overdose deaths in Washington are attributed to prescriptions. The Secure Drug Take Back Act, signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on March 22, will curb drug abuse, overdose, and accidental poisonings by requiring drug manufacturers to implement a safe, convenient collection program for unused medications. Local drug take-back ordinances will remain in effect until one year after the manufacturers’ program launches.
Vermont Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Bill Passes House of Representatives
On March 21, the Vermont House approved H 560, an EPR bill for HHW. The bill has moved to the Senate, where it is under review by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. The bill’s success is thanks to strong leadership by the Vermont Product Stewardship Council and thorough stakeholder meetings facilitated by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Webinars Explore Stewardship for Used Oil, Pharmaceuticals, and Tires
Join PSI for the 2018 Global Webinar Series! On March 25, PSI will hosted representatives from two producer responsibility organizations (Canada and Belgium) and a re-refinery (Germany) to discuss best practices in motor oil stewardship. On June 7, speakers from the US, Canada, France, and Sweden will share global best practices for drug take-back. In September, a webinar on packaging will conclude the series.
Separately from the Global Webinar Series, a June 12 webinar will explore TreadWright’s innovations in tire remolding that allow up to 70 percent recycled content while costing less than new tires. Speakers will also discuss broad sustainability goals for tire repair, reuse/retread, and recycling.
Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) Puts Up $1m to Collect Illegally Dumped Mattresses in California
MRC will pay California local governments, solid waste facilities, and solid waste operations that collect illegally dumped mattresses for data identifying the location of dumping activities. These entities can register with MRC to receive compensation up to $15 per unit.
Events, Webinars, and Conferences
- Free webinar recording | Make Every Drop Count: Global Best Practices in Used Motor Oil Stewardship | Product Stewardship Institute | Download
- Free webinar | Global Best Practices for Drug Take-Back Programs | Product Stewardship Institute | June 7 |11 am – 12:30 pm ET / 5 – 6:30 pm CEST | Register
- Free webinar | Exploring TreadWright and Tire Sustainability| Product Stewardship Institute | June 12 | 1pm – 2:30pm ET | Register
- National Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) Conference | NAHMMA | August 27-31 | Portland, ME | Register
What We’re Reading
- Study Reveals Electronic Waste in New York City Waste Stream is Now Down 60 Percent | Business Wire | May 15
- Mandatory Packaging Policies Delayed in California | Resource Recycling | May 8
- Rethinking the future of plastics | Financial Express | May 4
- Pharmaceutical companies, activists battle over cost, effectiveness of opioid takebacks | The Washington Times | April 26
- Break the Battery Hoarder Habit This Spring | Waste Advantage | April 20
- Plastic taxes and deposits not the sustainability answer, claims circular economy expert | Food Ingredients First | April 10
- Efforts to fight plastic pollution are working: Fewer plastic bags found around UK waters | ZME Science | April 5
