RESOLUTION FOR
PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY
for WASTE

Last modified: March 22, 2019

WHEREAS

  • Approximately ___________ tons of waste are currently being landfilled [or incinerated] in our community on an annual basis, and
  • The cost of collecting and [landfilling/incinerating] those wastes are estimated at $___________, and
  • Decisions regarding the design of these products are often made with little regard for waste prevention and recycling, and
  • Responsibility for managing waste that results from these products falls entirely on the citizens of our community, and
  • The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 70 percent of these wastes are manufactured products, including ‘durable’ goods (computers, TVs, appliances, furniture, and tires), ‘nondurable’ goods (newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, diapers, and household items) and packaging (cans, bottles, cartons, bags and wraps), and
  • Landfilling and incineration degrade our water and air quality, now and for the indefinite future, and
  • Waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting are materials management options that avoid the depletion of our natural resources, including forests, wildlife, minerals and energy, and other environmental impacts from extracting these resources.


THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

The [City of] [County of] ___________ considers that the responsibility to manage waste from manufactured products and packaging represents an 'unfunded mandate' on the citizens of this community, and

The [City/County] further resolves that manufacturers should share in the responsibility for eliminating waste -- through minimizing excess packaging; designing products for durability, reusability and recyclability; using recycled materials in the manufacture of new products; and providing financial support for collection, processing, recycling or disposal of used materials, and

The [City/County] further resolves that our State and Congressional delegations should introduce and pass legislation that shifts the burden of managing discarded products and packaging from local governments to the producers of those products, and

The [City/County] further resolves that this change in policy should be undertaken as part of a broader effort to eliminate waste by consumers, government, and business.

[The GrassRoots Recycling Network's Producer Responsibility Campaign is developing a coalition of local elected officials and taxpayers to encourage corporations that profit from wasteful products and packaging to take responsibility from 'cradle to cradle'. The Resolution for Producer Responsibility for Waste can be adapted to local conditions and passed by local governments and community organizations. See also our Resolution for Zero Waste. Please let us know about your progress so we can post news on this site.]


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