Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Holyoke

[Rebecca]

Hi Green Group Crushers,

This coming Wednesday, June 10 at 6:45pm, in the City Council Chambers, Lynn Pledger of Clean Water Action will be presenting information on EPR and how Holyoke can cut the costs associated with managing large trash items that cannot be recycled or broken down and shift the responsibility for managing these items back onto the manufacturers who produce them.

By shifting the responsibility for managing these large trash items back onto the producers, we create incentives for more environmentally friendly products and save the city from having to bear the burden of the costs for removal of such products.

This is a tremendous opportunity for the city and can help carve out a path for overall trash and waste reduction throughout Holyoke. Your support and attendance is needed at this meeting.

Lynn is also willing to do a briefing at 6pm for the Green Group, prior to the City Council presentation, if there is interest. This way citizens could learn the info and be able to weigh in and make their opinions heard at the City Council meeting immediately afterward.

Please reply and let me know if you would be available for either the 6pm briefing or the 6:45pm presentation.

Attached you will find a brief overview of the MA EPR Campaign

[Thomas]

This sounds very interesting. I am interested as to how these large trash items can be pushed back onto the manufactures. The idea of such producers being held accountable and forced to take action in dealing with such waste sounds very good.

[Thomas]

Is it possible for more information to be posted on Green Holyoke so people can have the opportunity to gain more understanding before the meeting on June 10th?
Thanks

[Thomas]

I see the attachment. Thanks so much

[Rebecca]

I posted what I have. This is why I asked Lynn to come out before the meeting to do a private info session for the Green Group. She is willing to come out before her presentation if there is enough interest/ availability.

Thomas said:

Is it possible for more information to be posted on Green Holyoke so people can have the opportunity to gain more understanding before the meeting on June 10th?
Thanks

[John Gurvitch]

Certainly seems like the City should investigate this avenue. I hope the council is attentive to the presentation. Will there be anything sent to the Mayor?

[Peter (VanDog)]

This does sound interesting. Many EU states tackled this about ten years ago, and I think, eventually all of Federated Europe implemented laws on this issue. I'm wondering how this can be done in Holyoke, and within US law. At first glance, any law/ordinance that would force a company to take its product back would seem to violate the interstate commerce act. Although I could be totally wrong.

[Thomas]

I believe 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR) is connected to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD is an international Organization made up of over thirty countries.

The OECD was first formed as the Organisation for European economic Co-operation which was created by R. Marjolin of France in 1948.

[aaron vega]

First off thank you rebecca for getting Lynn to come to Holyoke.

With so many ideas and complex issue surrounding waste this is an important step to creating a cleaner, smarter and more attractive city. Understanding the law and how "progressive" Holyoke can be as we move toward lower waste city is vital in the marketing of our city to both business and individuals.

Though I cannot make the 6:45 meeting I hope there is enough interest in the 6pm meeting with Lynn and i offer the Holyoke Health Center Art Gallery/Meeting Room as a venue.

This is a real opportunity for c.r.u.s.h. and I hope everyone with an interest in keeping Holyoke clean and moving toward green will be there.

[Thomas]

Just alittle info on Marjolin. - After founding the OECD Robert Marjolin was a member of the staff of Christian Pineau who was the Socialist Minister of Foreign Affaires. Marjolin later was a candidate for the French Socialists Party. It is fair to say that Marjolin and the OECD played a strong part in the forming of the EU (European Union).

[Thomas]

The idea of holding producers accountable for the non-recycle waste they produce is good indeed. However, I hope the EPR plan does not go outside of US Law and quietly push for an umbrella effect from the OECD by way of stewartship.

www.oecd.org

[Thomas]

It really does not make much logic that cities, towns, and taxpayers carry the costs of paying for the disposal of such waste. I am all for producers becoming more aware of the environment and less focused on profits, however it seems equally unlogical to think that any producer who is forced to pay for the management of its product waste will not simply pass the cost right back to the consumer by way of higher priced products.

[Stan Geddes]

Hi All
The consumer will end up paying some or all of the cost of EPR. Ideally the manufacturer will attempt to minimize higher prices by reducing packaging. Regardless the environment AND the taxpayers win.
Its great to hear that this idea is coming to Holyoke. It has indeed become the norm in the European Territories and in some other cities in the US and Canadia so it can be done. Thanks Rebecca
Stan