Oklahoma Product Stewardship Initiative
Call #1 Summary
November 15, 2010
Participants
Fenton Rood, OK Department of Environmental Quality
Melissa Adler-McKibben, OK Department of Environmental Quality
Kelly Danner, Oklahoma Municipal League, Inc.
Barry Brummit, City of Enid, OK
Debbie Smith, City of Norman
Doug Cornell, EPA Region 6
Garmon Smith, Ada Recycling Coalition
Golam Mustafa, EPA Region 6
Jim Bologna, Saint Gobain Containers-Verallia
Michelle Aumiller, City of Midwest City, OK
Raymond Melton, City of Oklahoma City
Stuart B., City of Weatherford, OK
Sierra Fletcher, Product Stewardship Institute
Mike Younis, Product Stewardship Institute
Scheduling
The next call will be held on: Thursday, December 16th from 10:00 - 11:00am Central Time.
I. Update of Electronic Law Implementation
The 2008 Computer Equipment Recover Act covers all manufacturers that sell over 50 units of covered electronic devices with in the state. All manufacturers must label all covered devices properly as well as implement a recovery plan or else face fines of $1,000 for the first violation and $5,000 for each violation thereafter. The program has grown from 15 manufacturers to over 40 manufacturers participating in the program and most recently LG and Waste Management held a collection event that recovered over 250,000 pounds, which was over 1,900 truckloads, of unused electronic devices.
Next Steps on Electronics:
(1) For more information please visit the OK DEQ website: http://www.deq.state.ok.us/lpdnew/ewasteindex.html
(2) An informative video about end-of-life management of electronics can be found at: http://storyofstuff.org/electronics/
II. Overview of Pharmaceutical Collection
Local government waste water treatment facilities are not designed to treat water contaminated with pharmaceuticals. The United States Geological Survey administered studies that included data from Oklahoma and concluded that there is increasing evidence of pharmaceuticals being detected in the environment and water supplies. Dialog has been held between the OK DEQ and the state health department in regards to introducing legislation that would cover regulated/licensed facilities (such as assisted/long-term care facilities) which would ban disposing of pharmaceuticals by way of flushing. Collection events in the past have recovered over 250 pounds of pharmaceuticals in Oklahoma. Nationally, the Controlled Substances Act adds another layer of difficulty to the safe disposal of pharmaceuticals because it restricts those who can collect prescriptions covered by the law to law enforcement agents only.
Next Steps on Pharmaceuticals:
(1) Look for more information for the SWANA Oklahoma Chapter Spring Symposium in March in which the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs is invited to
(2) Sierra Fletcher can provide information from other states/national picture as needed and can provide language from current legislation with regard to disposal ban of flushing pharmaceuticals
III. Mercury-added Thermostat Collection Programs
Mercury poisoning has been a continued concern for residents of Oklahoma and historically thermostats have contained sizeable amounts of mercury in them. A number of states including CA, IL, IA, MT, NH, PA, RI, and VT have developed legislation that requires professional contractors (which remove between 75% - 85% of residential thermostats) to recycle mercury containing thermostats. These programs have proved popular, even with industry, because there is essentially no cost associated with the recycling. Oklahoma has two options to best deal with mercury containing thermostats; a voluntary industry initiative or legislation. There is an industry supported recycling program that requires participants to pay $25 for a collection bin that will then be collected when the bin is full. In order for these programs to be successful wholesalers should be targeted because professional contractors frequently interact with these entities. Incentives should also be provided to contractors who participate in the program. Maine, which has the highest mercury thermostat collection rate in the country, offers contractors $5 per thermostat. For legislation to be viable it should not have overbearing collection targets or expensive education and outreach requirements.
Next Steps on Thermostats:
(1) DEQ should get a sense of the Construction Industry Board’s feeling on a voluntary program or what type of legislation it would support
(2) PSI will gather information on current voluntary programs
IV. Container Deposit Legislation
Although negotiations are currently underway, it seems likely that Oklahoma may see container deposit legislation in the coming legislative session. The Environmental Quality Board endorses the concept and a local lobbyist, Steve Edwards is currently petitioning for the issue. The legislation would cover glass, plastic, and aluminum containers for sure and may even target PET containers. It is important to make sure that consumers know that this legislation is not a tax; it is a refund or return.
Next Steps on Container Deposit Legislation:
(1) Alert group when more information about the potential legislation becomes available
Oklahoma Product Stewardship Conference Call Summary 2