THE ORGANIZATION
The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) is a powerful network of local governments, non-government organizations, businesses, and individuals supporting policies and projects where producers share in the responsibility for managing problem products at their end of life.
CPSC is California’s thought leader and expert on Product Stewardship and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) movement.
EPR enjoys the support of more than 26 million Californians. That’s nearly 70% of the state's population! Nearly 150 resolutions have been passed by California local jurisdictions and organizations supporting a more sustainable and toxic free environment through product stewardship. CPSC works closely with companies like Flame King who have redesigned products for reuse as well as establishes pilot or permanent collection programs with some sharing of costs with others in the product chain.
In July 2015, the CPSC Board, current CPSC Executive Director (Doug Kobold), and others formed the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC), a 501(c)(4). With CPSC’s legislative successes in California, increasing demands for CPSC’s assistance had come from all across the country, creating the need for an entity that could carry CPSC’s work forward, without lobbying limits, on a national scale.
Let us know how we can help your city or county take the first step towards adopting producer responsibility to promote safer, healthier families and communities!
CPSC Vision
Producers have the primary responsibility to establish, fund, and maximize material recovery systems to support a circular economy for their products with state government setting the performance goals and ensuring accountability and transparency.
CPSC Mission Statement
To shift California’s material economy from a linear model that subsidizes resource extraction, including ratepayer financed collection and disposal, towards a circular economy that relies upon producer-financed and managed recovery programs overseen by state agencies with all participants compensated for their contributions, while improving the health and well-being of all Californians.
CPSC will accomplish our mission by:
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Providing greater support for waste prevention and materials recovery than comparable supports for raw materials or energy extraction;
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Fostering separation of materials discards for safety and recovery; and
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Keeping products in use longer through reuse, repair, and salvage.
From the Executive Director
Welcome to the CPSC website! Our goals are to educate you about producer responsibility, inspire you, and provide you with the tools to take action. Have a product related problem in your community? Let us know how we can help! Learn more about current sponsorship opportunities, or consider showing your support by contributing to CPSC so we can continue to work on the products that matter the most to you, your family and your community.
With gratitude,
Doug Kobold
BOARD MEMBERS
CPSC is grateful to have a board that reflects both the diversity of our state's communities and diversity of industry stakeholders. Learn more about how CPSC, by design, ensures diversity on nearly every front.
Julia Au
Senior Outreach, Education, and Compliance Manager
RethinkWaste
San Carlos, CA
Obai Rambo
Director of Government Affairs
Recology
San Francisco, CA
Chris Sheppard
Senior Civil Engineer
County of LA
Dept. of Public Works
Los Angeles, CA
Colleen Foster
Vice Chair
Environmental Officer
Water Utilities Department
Oceanside, CA
STAFF
We are a diverse group of highly accomplished experts in our fields of practice. We are passionate about the work we do and the communities we serve.
SPONSORS
Thank you to our sponsors and associates for supporting CPSC!
CPSC advocates on behalf of countless cities, towns, and other jurisdictions here in California. We are grateful for their financial support, along with various other sponsors, and all that they do to further our mission and vision for material management in California. Learn more about sponsoring CPSC here.
Platinum Sponsors ($10,000 or more)
Gold Sponsors ($5,000 to $9,999)
Silver Sponsors ($2,500 to $4,999)
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Bronze Sponsors
Bank & Vogue
Product Care Association of Canada
R3 Consulting
Regent Apparel
SGA Marketing
Green Sponsors
California Association of Recycling Market Development Zones
TDC Environmental
Business Waste Management Consulting
Green Cities of California
Reciprocal Benefits Sponsors
California Resource Recovery Association
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ANNUAL REPORTS
AWARDS
Arrow Awards
Overview
The California Product Stewardship Council recognizes California businesses for outstanding leadership, innovation and partnerships in product stewardship and green design. The Arrow Awards recognize innovative product stewardship programs, outstanding partnerships in product stewardship and serve to inspire organizations to integrate the principles of product stewardship.
Learn more about current and previous awards!
Nominations for 2022 Arrow Awards now open! Click here to nominate.
*Nomination Deadline: 06/01/2022 @ 5PM*
Eligibility
Any business entity (division or facility located in California), third party stewardship organizations and non‐profits are eligible to apply.
Award Recipient Benefits
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A custom-designed award made of recycled materials by Bay Area artist Ellen Blakeley presented at an evening awards event attended by more than 700 local and state government representatives, state legislators and industry representatives.
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Statewide media coverage
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Organization’s profile on CPSC’s Arrow Awards web page for one year
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Organization’s profile in CPSC’s electronic newsletter, distributed to more than 3,000 viewers
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Organization’s video (if submitted) uploaded to CPSC’s YouTube Channel
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Use of Arrow Awards medallion on organization’s public relations materials
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Ongoing promotion and support from CPSC
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A link from CPSC’s website to award recipients
Award Categories
Overall Excellence Award: The Golden Arrow Award for Overall Excellence in Product Stewardship
This award will be given to a company that demonstrates excellence in several aspects of product stewardship, including green design, toxics reduction, packaging reduction, increased reuse, repair, re-manufacture, convenient product take-back and end of life (EOL) management for one or more products.
Note: Do not apply for this award. The Golden Arrow Award winner will be selected by the review panel from the applicants of the categories below. If you wish to be considered for the Golden Arrow Award, then ensure your application speaks to all three individual categories.
Green Arrow Award for System and Design Innovations
This award will be given to a company that demonstrates an innovative product, package or system-approach that removes or reduces toxic or other problematic attributes present in other similar products. Examples: citrus cleaners that replace petroleum solvents; refillable packaging vs. one-way disposable; integrated (cradle-to-cradle) approach to providing a product, i.e., prepaid mailer to return product to manufacturer for reuse or recycling.
The Bow and Arrow Award for Coalition Building
This award will be given to a company or group that has excelled in building partnerships and demonstrating the inter-dependence between producers, distributors, retailers, public agencies and other stakeholders. The award may recognize a producer, a group of producers, an industry or trade association, or a stewardship organization that works with public agencies, retailers or other stakeholders to deal with EOL issues.
The Infinity Arrow Award for Service and Take-Back
This award will recognize a retail business, group of businesses, or chain that has initiated an outstanding Take Back program for one or more product as an additional convenience and service to their customers, and works with the producers of those products in developing safe storage and recovery of EOL products and packages.
Read more about current and previous
award winning companies. View pictures
from the ceremonies and see the press on
CPSC's arrow awards.
Pictured right: President of REPSCO, Inc.,
Paul Bennet Jr., accepting the Golden Arrow
Award at the virtual ceremony in 2021
Legislative Awards
Overview
The California Product Stewardship Council recognizes California legislators for outstanding leadership, innovative solutions, and development of strategic partnerships in regards to statewide policies on product stewardship and green design. Read more about current and previous award winning legislators.
Associate/Sponsor of the Year Awards
Overview
The California Product Stewardship Council recognizes associates and partners for outstanding leadership in their field, innovative solutions to longstanding issues, and effective partnership in regards to product stewardship and green design in California. Read more about current and previous award winning local governments and sponsors.
PRESS FEATURING CPSC
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Illegal dumps chock Bay Area watersheds and open space - The Mercury News, 6/20/2022
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Is Recycled Polyester From Water Bottles Greenwashing? - Ecocult, 6/16/2022
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Your Clothes Can Have an Afterlife: NIST report identifies strategies for greater reuse and recycling of textiles - NIST, 5/9/2022
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Solar Panel Recycling Pilot Wraps Up in City of Santa Monica, CA - Waste Advantage Magazine, 4/22/2022
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Legislation to keep batteries out of landfills passes first committee - Orange County Breeze, 4/25/2022
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Q&A: Doug Kobold of the California Product Stewardship Council discusses how products can be disposed of properly without harming the environment - Sacramento News & Review, 4/20/2022
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Fashion Industry, We Must Prepare for New Regulations - Sourcing Journal, 4/15/2022
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California Voice: Goal to keep batteries out of landfills needs a recharge - Marin Independent Journal, 4/9/2022
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Opinion: California goal to keep batteries out of landfills needs a recharge - Silicon Valley, 4/6/2022
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New legislation proposed a statewide program to recycle batteries - Orange County Breeze, 2/26/2022
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Will California go big on climate action? Here's what lawmakers want - Los Angeles Times, 2/24/2022
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California launches circularity projects focused on repair and reuse of textiles - Recycling Product News, 2/9/2022
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California Launches Innovative Textiles Circularity Projects: Part 2 – Waste 360, 2/9/2022
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California Launches Innovative Textiles Circularity Projects: Part 1 – Waste 360, 2/8/2022
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Lithium Battery Fires Are Threatening Recycling as We Know It - VICE, 2/1/2022
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California Industry Group Takes On Textile Waste - Sourcing Journal, 1/11/2022
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Textile Industry Urged to Fund Circularity - Ecotextile, 1/4/22
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Alameda County, CA and Delta Diablo Partner with State on Expired Marine Flare Collection Events - Waste Advantage, 10/8/21
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Facilitating a Circular Economy for Textiles – Federal NIST workshop, 9/21/21 – 9/23/21
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Solidarity in the Secondhand Supply Chain – Fashion Revolution Panel, 9/16/21
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The Future of Fashion: 5 Voices in Fashiontech - Maggie Green Style, 09/15/21
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California: Home to Global Innovators in Waste Reduction- Waste Advantage Magazine, 8/18/21
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RRWA: Safe medicine disposal program update for Mendocino and Sonoma counties- Ukiah Daily Journal, 8/3/21
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Huntington Beach marine flare safety; Resident coupon for reusable alternative- Huntington Beach News, 7/20/21
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Crown Ace Hardware hosts special propane cylinder giveaway- Huntington Beach News, 7/19/21
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Eco-tip: Options slim for treated wood disposal, solutions needed from state- VC Star, 7/3/21
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An Analysis of Lithium-ion Battery Fires in Waste Management and Recycling- US EPA, 07/2021
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Aquafil Carpet Recycling Facility: Tour and Interview Hosted by CPSC- CPSC, 05/2021
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The Morning Show featuring Dr. Joanne Brasch- KSVY 91.3 FM Sonoma Valley, 5/6/21
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Sustainability Blog: And the fastest-growing waste stream is...-City of Thousand Oaks, April 2021
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Fibershed Solutions to Microplastic Problems: Why textiles need to be at the core of California's action on microplastics- Fibershed, 4/15/21
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California successfully installs 250 medication disposal bins across state- Waste Today Magazine, 4/9/21
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California Product Stewardship Council Battery Fire Report 2021- Waste Advantage Magazine, 3/24/21
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What's the Latest Research on Synthetic Microfiber Pollution from Fashion?- EcoCult, 3/22/21
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Eye on the Environment | Unintended consequences from light bulb ban?- VC Reporter, 3/18/21
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Waste, Reuse and Recycling - Dissecting Current Market Trends and Legislation on Recycling, Producer Responsibility, and How Reuse and Recycling Conserves Resources- KSQD 90.7 Santa Cruz, 3/10/21
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Waste360 Announces 2021 40 Under 40 Awards Winners- Waste360, 3/4/21
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Conscious couture: How Lowell students can make a difference with what they wear- The Lowell, 2/17/21
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End-of-life regulation is coming for fashion- Vogue Business, 2/4/21
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Eye on the Environment | How Much Wood Would You Chuck at $500 Per Ton?- VC Reporter, 12/23/20
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Extended Producer Responsibility and Unique Waste Streams- SWANA NorCal Webinar, 12/12/20
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Why today's 'fast fashions' can be bad for the planet- Science News for Students, 12/10/20
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Eco-tip: How would you treat treated wood? Relaxed rules expire next month- VC Star, 11/14/20
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Clearing the air by tracking toxics and chemicals- The Acorn, 11/12/20
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Eye on the Environment | Tracking Toxins and Talking Transitions- VC Reporter, 10/28/20
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Priority Product Survey Results 2020- CPSC, 10/21/20
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Eco-tip: When the state stopped playing a 'high-stakes game of chemical whack-a-mole'- VC Star, 10/17/20
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California Ramps Up Consumer Drug Takeback Program with Help- Waste360, 9/23/20
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It's Time to Invest In Our Clothing: Clothing Repair, Reuse, & Repurposing Are No Longer An Option, But A Necessity- AATCC, 9/10/20
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LED marine flare company wins waste reduction award in California- The Log, 9/5/20
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California legislature passes recycled content mandate, EPR bills stall for a second year in a row- Waste Dive, 9/1/20
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CPSC Executive Director Doug Kobold to Discuss Waste, Climate Change, and Arrow Awards- KZFR 90.1 Chico, 8/25/20
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LED Marine Flare Company Wins Coveted Waste Reduction Award in California- Cision PRWeb, 8/25/20
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Several California Companies Working Together to Solve the Waste Crisis Through Innovative Business Models- Waste Today, 8/19/20
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California's Top Companies Recognized for Product Stewardship and Green Job Creation- Recycling Product News, 8/18/20
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Sirius Signal to Receive the Green Arrow Award from the California Product Stewardship Council- Sirius Signal, 8/8/20
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Sen. Patricia Bates Applauds Expansion of California Drug Take-Back Program - Orange County Breeze, 8/5/20
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Medication Take-Back Bins Installed at Pasadena Vons Locations - PasadenaNow.com, 8/5/20
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Solar Panel Recycling Research from the Counties of Butte and San Mateo and the City of Santa Monica - IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference, 6/18/20 and supporting 5-minute video
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Class Is In Session- Sportswear International, 4/14/20
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California Pushes for Solar Panel Waste Policy- Waste360, 3/31/20
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To combat opioid crisis, California Take-Back drugs program available for Pass area- Record Gazette, 2/5/20
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Medicine disposal bins now available- Del Norte Triplicate, 1/30/20
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Fashion has a misinformation problem. That's bad for the environment- Vox, 1/27/20
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California PFAS priority product proposal sparks discord- ChemicalWatch, 1/22/20
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Waste Connections cities batteries in trash, recycling fires- The Columbian, 11/21/19
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Sustainable Textiles in the Fashion Industry- Waste Advantage Magazine, 11/4/19
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Life In Plastic: California's Recycling Woes- KCET Socal Connected, 10/15/19
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The Power & Influence Behind the World of Recycling- KCET Socal Connected, 10/15/19
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Smarter Scoring scores $17M to reduce chemical waste- Austin Business Journal, 9/23/19
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Single-Use Packaging Proposal on Pause in California- resource-recycling.com, 9/17/19
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Short circuiting the circular economy- resource-recycling.com, 9/1/19
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Drug Disposal Bins Coming to California- drugtopics.com, 8/27/19
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Dispose of unused medications properly- Recordnet.com, 8/1/19
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Pot Stickler- PacificSun, 7/10/19
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Good News for Cities: Producer-Paid Medication and Needle Collection Is Coming- Western Cities, 7/1/19
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Why a California lawmaker wants to ban cigarette filters and disposable vapes- CalMatters, 6/25/19
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California Product Stewardship Council lauds Canadian government initiative on plastics- Recycling Product News, 6/18/19
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Panels Be Gone- Chico News and Review, 6/13/19
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New global sustainability standard for solar modules in the works- PV Magazine, 6/4/19
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Protecting Butte County Together- Chico News and Review, 5/23/19
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NorCal Officials Discuss Drug Take-Back- KCRA 3 News, 4/26/19
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National Drug Take-Back Day Gives Area Residents a Chance to Drop-Off Unused Old Drugs- Stockton Record, 4/27/19
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Eco-tip Batteries Not Included In Your Garbage Can or Recycling Cart- vcstar.com, 4/17/19
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Drug Take-Back Program Goes Statewide- SF Estuary Institute, 1/7/19
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Recyclable plastic is ending up in landfills- ABC 7 News, 12/6/18
