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 those who have established 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:
-
Providing greater support for waste prevention and materials recovery than comparable supports for raw materials or energy extraction;
-
Fostering separation of materials discards for safety and recovery; and
-
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

Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Recology
San Francisco, CA
.png)



Colleen Foster
Vice Chair
Environmental Officer
Water Utilities Department
Oceanside, CA





Susanne Passantino
Market Director Government Affairs
Republic Services
Los Angeles, CA

Chris Sheppard
Senior Civil Engineer
County of LA
Dept. of Public Works
Los Angeles, 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 and click here to learn more about CPSC sponsorship levels.
Circular Sponsors ($20,000 or more)
Platinum Sponsors ($10,000 or more)
.png)
Gold Sponsors ($5,000 to $9,999)

Silver Sponsors ($2,500 to $4,999)
Patti
Towes
.png)


Bronze Sponsors
Product Care Association of Canada
R3 Consulting
Regent Apparel
SGA Marketing
RRS Consulting
Textile Exchange
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
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!
The nomination period for the 2023 Arrow Awards has closed! Thank you for your submissions. Winners will be notified shortly, and will be announced publicly at CRRA’s 47th Annual Conference and Trade Show in August 2023.
Eligibility
Any business entity (division or facility located in California), third party stewardship organizations and non‐profits are eligible to apply.
Award Recipient Benefits
-
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.
-
Statewide media coverage
-
Organization’s profile on CPSC’s Arrow Awards web page for one year
-
Organization’s profile in CPSC’s electronic newsletter, distributed to more than 3,000 viewers
-
Organization’s video (if submitted) uploaded to CPSC’s YouTube Channel
-
Use of Arrow Awards medallion on organization’s public relations materials
-
Ongoing promotion and support from CPSC
-
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: Group photo featuring the 2022 Arrow
Award recipients, CPSC staff, and CPSC board members.
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
-
A slew of countries are asking fashion companies to pay for recycling programs as clothing waste becomes overwhelming - Fortune, 5/31/23
-
How Fashion Companies Can Take Responsibility for Their Waste and Move Toward A Just, Circular Textile Economy - Fibershed, 5/26/23
-
Regulators Want Fashion Brands to Pay for Their Textile Waste - Bloomberg, 5/25/23
-
Zero Waste Symposium returns in person to the North Bay - Northern California Public Media, 5/12/23
-
California SB 707: EPR Textile Recycling and Repair Program with CPSC’s Dr. Joanne Brasch - Swap Society, 4/27/23
-
Why Recycling Plants Keep Catching on Fire - TIME, 4/13/23
-
California officials hint at big e-scrap program changes - E-Scrap News, 3/29/23
-
In California, Textile Waste is Out of Fashion - Future World, 3/16/23
-
California Senate Committee to Hold Hearing on Textile Recycling Bill - International Sleep Products Association, 3/14/23
-
The Textile Dilemma: From Manufacturing, To Waste, To Solutions - EcoJustice Radio, 3/6/23
-
California could make apparel producers liable for textile waste - Sourcing Journal, 3/6/23
-
California legislature takes on textiles - Recycling Today, 3/3/23
-
Fashion companies would have to help recycle clothes under proposed California bill - Paradise Post, 3/3/23
-
California legislature takes on textiles - Waste Today, 3/3/23
-
Fashion companies would have to help recycle clothes under proposed California bill - The Mendocino Beacon, 3/3/23
-
Fashion companies would have to help recycle clothes under proposed California bill - The Orange County Register, 3/2/23
-
California, US introduces bill for collection & recycling of textiles - Fibre2Fashion, 3/2/23
-
Legislation Introduced to create first-of-its-kind EPR textile recycling and repair program in CA - Waste Advantage, 2/28/23
-
A California bill wants to make brands responsible for fashion's waste problem - Vogue Business, 2/27/23
-
Tracking 2022 recycling laws by state - WasteDive, 11/29/22
-
After Hours: Sacramento Area Sustainable Business Awards - Sacramento Business Journal, 10/20/22
-
SF State students give fresh look to unwanted clothing through repair and redesign - San Francisco State University News, 10/13/22
-
Follow These Simple Rules When You Want to Recycle Your Bike - Yahoo! News, 10/4/22
-
Goodwill and the California Product Stewardship Council partner on used apparel - KALW, 10/3/22
-
California targets battery and device collection - Recycling Today, 9/20/22
-
California governor signs recycling and waste bills as part of climate change package - WasteDive, 9/19/22
-
California governor signs bills expanding e-scrap recycling - E-Scrap News, 9/19/22
-
Two Landmark Bills in California Aiming to Increase Battery Recycling Signed Into Law - Waste Advantage Magazine, 9/19/22
-
California Passes Two New Bills to Overhaul State’s Battery Extended Producer Responsibility Program and Broadly Expand State’s E-Waste Program - Beveridge & Diamond PC, 9/8/22
- California takes action to cut more plastics waste, including grocery produce bags - LA Times, 9/5/22
-
California legislation develops statewide battery recycling program - Waste Today, 9/1/22
-
Bill to expand California e-scrap program passes - E-Scrap News, 9/1/22
-
California legislature advances battery EPR and takeback bills, aiming to avert facility fires - WasteDive, 8/31/22
-
Non-profits honor California Legislators, including Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, and staff for advancing circular and equitable economy legislation - Amigos805, 8/25/22
-
More Propane, More Problems: California Likely to Pass Ban on Single-Use Gas Cans - Gear Junkie, 8/25/22
-
California could be first state to ban 1-lb propane cylinders used by campers - San Francisco Chronicle, 8/24/22
-
California Assembly Approves Bill to Phase Out 1-Pound, Single-Use Propane Cylinders – Yosemite National Park Propane Cylinders Available to Purchase Inside the Park are Refillable - Sierra Sun Times, 8/16/22
-
Bill To Prohibit One Pound Disposable Propane Tanks Passed By Assembly - California Globe, 8/16/22
-
Bill To Eliminate Single Use Propane Cylinders Passes Assembly - Patch, 8/15/22
-
Reducing Your Home's Environmental Impact Isn't as Complicated as it Seems - Inside Hook, 8/9/22
-
What Is Extended Producer Responsibility in Textiles — and What’s Missing From Current Policies? - Conscious Life and Style, 7/29/22
-
Lawmakers spending the week in Maine, Canada - CalMatters, 7/26/22
-
Supes back propane canister ban - Mad River Union, 7/21/22
-
California went big on rooftop solar. It created an environmental danger in the process - LA Times, 07/14/22
-
ThredUp, Rent the Runway, The RealReal Rally For Reuse Reform - Sourcing Journal, 7/13/22
-
Illegal dumps chock Bay Area watersheds and open space - The Mercury News, 6/20/22
-
Is Recycled Polyester From Water Bottles Greenwashing? - Ecocult, 6/16/22
-
Key takeaways from the Global Fashion Summit: More diversity, more collaboration - Vogue Business, 6/13/22
-
Your Clothes Can Have an Afterlife: NIST report identifies strategies for greater reuse and recycling of textiles - NIST, 5/9/22
-
Solar Panel Recycling Pilot Wraps Up in City of Santa Monica, CA - Waste Advantage Magazine, 4/22/22
-
Legislation to keep batteries out of landfills passes first committee - Orange County Breeze, 4/25/22
-
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, 4/20/22
-
Fashion Industry, We Must Prepare for New Regulations - Sourcing Journal, 4/15/22
-
California Voice: Goal to keep batteries out of landfills needs a recharge - Marin Independent Journal, 4/9/22
-
Opinion: California goal to keep batteries out of landfills needs a recharge - Silicon Valley, 4/6/22
-
New legislation proposed a statewide program to recycle batteries - Orange County Breeze, 2/26/22
-
Will California go big on climate action? Here's what lawmakers want - Los Angeles Times, 2/24/22
-
California launches circularity projects focused on repair and reuse of textiles - Recycling Product News, 2/9/22
-
California Launches Innovative Textiles Circularity Projects: Part 2 – Waste 360, 2/9/22
-
California Launches Innovative Textiles Circularity Projects: Part 1 – Waste 360, 2/8/22
-
Lithium Battery Fires Are Threatening Recycling as We Know It - VICE, 2/1/22
-
California Industry Group Takes On Textile Waste - Sourcing Journal, 1/11/22
-
Textile Industry Urged to Fund Circularity - Ecotextile, 1/4/22
-
Alameda County, CA and Delta Diablo Partner with State on Expired Marine Flare Collection Events - Waste Advantage, 10/8/21
-
Facilitating a Circular Economy for Textiles – Federal NIST workshop, 9/21/21 – 9/23/21
-
Solidarity in the Secondhand Supply Chain – Fashion Revolution Panel, 9/16/21
-
The Future of Fashion: 5 Voices in Fashiontech - Maggie Green Style, 09/15/21
-
California: Home to Global Innovators in Waste Reduction- Waste Advantage Magazine, 8/18/21
-
RRWA: Safe medicine disposal program update for Mendocino and Sonoma counties- Ukiah Daily Journal, 8/3/21
-
Huntington Beach marine flare safety; Resident coupon for reusable alternative- Huntington Beach News, 7/20/21
-
Crown Ace Hardware hosts special propane cylinder giveaway- Huntington Beach News, 7/19/21
-
Eco-tip: Options slim for treated wood disposal, solutions needed from state- VC Star, 7/3/21
-
An Analysis of Lithium-ion Battery Fires in Waste Management and Recycling- US EPA, 07/2021
-
Aquafil Carpet Recycling Facility: Tour and Interview Hosted by CPSC- CPSC, 05/2021
-
The Morning Show featuring Dr. Joanne Brasch- KSVY 91.3 FM Sonoma Valley, 5/6/21
-
Sustainability Blog: And the fastest-growing waste stream is...-City of Thousand Oaks, April 2021
-
Fibershed Solutions to Microplastic Problems: Why textiles need to be at the core of California's action on microplastics- Fibershed, 4/15/21
-
California successfully installs 250 medication disposal bins across state- Waste Today Magazine, 4/9/21
-
California Product Stewardship Council Battery Fire Report 2021- Waste Advantage Magazine, 3/24/21
-
What's the Latest Research on Synthetic Microfiber Pollution from Fashion?- EcoCult, 3/22/21
