Tools for Local Governments

Local governments took on responsibility for "solid waste" before the "waste stream" came to be dominated by manufactured products. State and federal legislation is needed to establish producer financed and managed systems. Local governments can build the capacity, knowledge and relationships to transition to EPR for products — and focus scarce resources on managing community generated organics like yard trimmings and food scraps.

• Tools for Local Action in Support of EPR
• Outreach Packet Explaining EPR for Elected Officials and Others
  A set of fact sheets
• U-Waste Outreach Packets to Local Businesses
• Transitioning to Zero Waste: What Can Local Governments Do Now? 3/06
  -- By Helen Spiegelman, Product Policy Institute
• If you are thinking about, planning on, or already have passed an EPR resolution, be sure to let everybody know about it. CPSC has created the following model resolution, a model press release, and media instructions for your use. Press releases are a great, virtually no cost way to promote your programs and policies.
  • Model Resolution 12/15/08
  • Model Press Release 12/19/08
  • Media Instruction Guide 12/19/08
• Green Purchasing: Purchasing Contracts with EPR
• Provide the CPSC PowerPoint presentation and other outreach materials in your local jurisdiction
• Become an Associate of CPSC, sign the pledge of support
• Contribute participation fees to CPSC
• Approve a resolution supporting EPR legislation
• Adopt a Jurisdiction to spread the word
• Adopt a legislator, provide the power point presentation
  • Directions
  • List of Legislators
• Prepare to advocate in support of EPR legislation
  • Secure approval to send letters from your agency
  • Direct your paid lobbyist to support EPR legislation
  • Encourage citizens to mail letters supporting EPR
• Work with local retailers to develop local take back programs as a bridge to manufacturer financed EPR
• County of Napa Recycling Guide
  Promote product stewardship councils in your local recycling and public education materials like this.
• Transitioning to Zero Waste: What Can Local Governments Do Now? 3/06
  -- By Helen Spiegelman, Product Policy Institute

Local Government Surveys

• U-Waste Product Stewardship Survey 12/07

  • Survey
  • Summary
  • Data

Models of Local Action

• Contracting for Producer Responsibility
  — Julie Weiss, City of Palo Alto; Alicia Culver, Green Purchasing Institute & Product Policy Institute
• Policies on Solid Waste — Southern California Association of Governments
• Sonoma County Extended Producer Responsibility Implementation Plan 2/07
  -- The first" local EPR plan" in California
• Oakland Zero Waste Plan Overview 11/06
  -- EPR is one of Oakland's five strategies for reaching Zero Waste