HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 09-76RESOLUTION NO. 09-76
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM DESERT SUPPORTING
EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY.
WHEREAS, approximately 75,000 tons of discarded materials and products are
currently sent to disposal from our community on an annual basis at a cost of $37.45 per
ton; and
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2006, California's Universal Waste Rule (CCR, Title
22, Division 4.5, Chapter 23) became effective; and
WHEREAS, the Universal Waste Rule bans landfill disposal of certain products
that are deemed hazardous, including household batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes,
thermostats and other items that contain mercury, as well as electronic devices such as
video cassette recorders, microwave ovens, cellular phones, cordless phones, printers, and
radios; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the list of Universal and other waste products
determined to be hazardous and therefore banned from landfills will continue to grow as
demonstrated by the ban of treated wood effective January 2007 and sharps in September
2008; and
WHEREAS, state policies currently make local governments responsible for
achieving waste diversion goals and enforcing product disposal bans, both of which are
unfunded mandates; and
WHEREAS, Universal Waste management costs are currently paid by taxpayers
and rate payers in the Coachella Valley and are expected to increase substantially in the
short term unless policy changes are made; and
WHEREAS, local governments have no input on the design of the products, make
no profit from the products, and do not have the resources to adequately address the rising
volume of producers of hazardous products and products designed for disposal; and
WHEREAS, costs paid by local governments to manage products are in effect
subsidies to the producers of hazardous products and products designed for disposal; and
WHEREAS, Palm Desert supports statewide efforts to hold producers responsible
for Universal Waste products and other product waste management costs; and
Resolution No. 09-76
WHEREAS, there are significant environmental and human health impacts
associated with improper management of Universal Waste products; and
WHEREAS, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach in
which producers assume responsibility for management of waste products and which has
been shown to be effective; and
WHEREAS, when producers are responsible for ensuring their products are reused
or recycled responsibly, and when health and environmental costs are included in the
product price, there is an incentive to design products that are more durable, easier to
repair and recycle, and less toxic; and
WHEREAS, EPR framework legislation establishes transparent and fair principles
and procedures for applying EPR to categories of products for which improved design and
management infrastructure is in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) is an
organization of California local governments working to speak with one voice in
promoting transparent and fair EPR systems in California; and
WHEREAS, Palm Desert wishes to incorporate EPR policies into the agency's
product procurement practices to reduce costs and protect the environment; and
WHEREAS, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has
adopted Strategic Directives to begin developing statewide EPR programs; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Palm Desert, California urges the CIWMB to continue taking timely action to implement
the Strategic Directive #5 on Producer Responsibility to manage Universal and other
wastes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Palm Desert urges the California Legislature
to enact framework EPR legislation that shifts Universal and other wastes management
costs from local government to the producers of the product, and which will give producers
the incentive to redesign products to make them less toxic and easier to reuse and recycle;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager of the City of Palm Desert
be authorized to send letters to the League of California Cities, the California Association
of Counties, and the CIWMB, and the State legislature and to use other advocacy methods
to urge support of EPR framework legislation; and
Resolution No. 09-76
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager of the City of Palm Desert
be authorized to sign the California Stewardship Council (CPSC) Pledge of Support and
participate with CPSC to educate and advocate for EPR policies and programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Palm Desert encourage all
manufacturers to share in the responsibility for eliminating waste through minimizing
excess packaging, designing products for durability, reusability and the ability to be
recycled; using recycled materials in the manufacture of new products; and providing
financial support for collection, processing, recycling, or disposal of used materials; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Palm Desert develop producer
responsibility policies such as leasing and to take responsibility for collecting and recycling
their products at the end of their useful life.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of Palm Desert held on this l2th day of November. 2009, by the following vote,
to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN: NONE
ATTEST:
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
BENSON, FERGUSON, FINERTY, KELLY, and SPIEGEL
NONE
NONE
ROBERT A. SPIEGELL,, M` Yr