Sustainable Fairfax

Bringing people together to support a vital environment and thriving community

EPR

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – A Step on the Path to Zero Waste

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ZeroWaste What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

The move towards zero waste is not just about responsible waste management, it’s also about sustainable consumer practices and sustainable retailer and manufacturing processes. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requires manufacturers to minimize the environmental impact of their products at each stage of the product’s lifecycle.

This includes taking responsibility for the product’s end-of-life by creating take-back programs for the reuse and recycling of their products (Producer Takeback).

When manufacturers take responsibility for the life cycle of their own products they:

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  • Use environmentally safer materials in the production process
  • Consume fewer materials in the production process
  • Design the product to last longer and be more useful
  • Create safer recycling systems
  • Are motivated to keep waste costs down
  • No longer pass the cost of disposal to the government and the taxpayer

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What Can I Do To Demand Extended Producer Responsibility?

Speak with Your $$

Don’t buy products from producers or resellers that have non-recyclable or excessive packaging. Buy in bulk when possible to reduce single-use packaging waste and show manufacturers what’s important to their consumers.

Write a Letter!

Let companies know that EPR is important to you. If you have to purchase an over-packaged product, send a letter to the manufacturer and let them know you don’t appreciate wasteful packaging practices. Most consumer labels include a corporate address.

Support EPR Legislation

Let your government know that you support EPR and will support pro-EPR legislation. The California Product Stewardship Council is a great resource for information on legislative activity around Extended Producer Responsibility. “Like” them on Facebook and follow their website for the latest information.

Take Advantage of Take-Back Programs

Patronize companies that offer voluntary take-back programs for the products they sell, such as Home Depot’s fluorescent bulb recycling program. To find recycling locations near you, visit the Earth911 website.

Ask for More Take-Back Programs

When you buy a product, don’t be afraid to ask the retailer to take-it-back at the end-of-life. If enough consumers request take-back programs, retailers and manufacturers will get the message and find ways to work together to make this happen. It really works!

Zero Waste Marin also has a great list of recycling resources and take-back programs! http://zerowastemarin.org/zero-waste-101/recycling-guide/

Zero Waste Resources

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We are fortunate to have a lot of tools available to us to make reducing landfill part of our home and business lives. Below are some great resources to help you take action.

EPR Resources

The California Product Stewardship Council. Check out their site to see how you can help support EPR – http://www.calpsc.org/ and “Like” them on Facebook to stay in the know: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaPSC

Zero Waste Marin has a great list of recycling resources and take-back programs! http://zerowastemarin.org/zero-waste-101/recycling-guide/

Resources for Reducing Consumption

My Plastic-free Life

The Story of Stuff

 

Reuse Resources

Marin Freecycle – Marin Freecycle is a group where people post goods that are no longer of use to them. These goods can be claimed for free by other list-members. This can be a great way to get rid of your things, and a fun way to hunt for new treasure! www.marincountyfreecycle.org

The Marin Free Stuff Facebook Group is another easy way to post and claim free local stuff. https://www.facebook.com/groups/673892976013150/

West Marin is home to a Recycle Circus that shows a lot of creative and fun ways to repurpose old material. http://www.westmarincommons.org/event/recycle-circus-2014

The Away Station – The Away Station, located in Fairfax Lumber, is a great place to donate (and find) used architectural salvage. Donations are tax-deductable!

The St Rita Thrift Store – Located at 2090 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., this is a great place to give new life to books, clothes, and household goods. It’s one place we find all of the silverware and napkins to help make our events zero waste! Call 415-482-7622 for information.

Casa Allegra – Casa Allegra Community Services provides employment for developmentally disabled individuals. They take donations of cell phones, fax machines, printers. Will pick up.www.casaallegra.org

Marin Computer Resource Center http://ewastecollective.org/index.htm – They recycle household electronics and give away free refurbished computers to those in need to help narrow the digital divide.

Recycling, Composting, and Take-Back Programs

Curb-side Recycling and Composting – Click here for the Marin Sanitary Service’s guidelines for where to put your waste. So much can go into the “green bin” now!

Take Advantage of Take-Back Programs – Patronize companies that offer voluntary take-back programs for the products they sell, such as Home Depot’s fluorescent bulb recycling program. To find recycling locations near you, visit the Earth911 website.

General Resources

Zero Waste Marin –  zerowastemarin.org/ – This site has great resources and information for waste disposal that will make it easy for you to take real steps towards zero waste in your home or business.

Marin Sanitary Services http://marinsanitary.com – Don’t know how to dispose of those chemicals? Want to compost your Christmas tree? MSS is Fairfax’s partner on the path to Zero Wast and has a lot of useful information .

No Wetlands Landfill Expansion http://www.noexpansion.org

Novato Disposal, www.novatodisposal.com

Stop Junk mail links:

http://www.stopjunkmail.org/
http://www.41pounds.org/