This document explains why ILSR and many allied organizations are skeptical about adopting EPR for packaging and traditionally recycled materials and suggests a better way forward.… Read More
In this recently published commentary, ILSR says cities and counties need sources of renewable capital for the generation of investment in recycling, composting and reuse infrastructure. They also need guidelines for proper investment strategies… Read More
In a new opinion piece published in Waste Dive on July 8, ILSR’s Neil Seldman argues that Europe and the U.S. “live in different recycling and wasting landscapes” and that the European model may not be applicable to the US. … Read More
The goal of needed infrastructure investment in recycling can be accomplished without undermining local control. “Municipal Stewardship EPR” is a clear option for making progress toward Zero Waste.… Read More
The Break Free from Plastic Bill seeks to address the problems of air, water and soil pollution from plastic waste. But to do this, it includes Extended Producer Responsibility provisions that would force communities to cede control over their local recycling industries to the same large corporations that are responsible for designing and promoting the waste-generating products and packages.
Advocates for corporate control over the US recycling sector through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) point to British Columbia as their model for the United States. Yet analysis of this system raises fundamental questions of fairness, transparency and cost effectiveness. Professor Cal Lakhan, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Toronto, contributed additional research on the British Columbia EPR system. Dan Knapp, Urban Ore, Berkeley, CA summarizes and comments on Lakhan’s findings.… Read More
Though it contains some harmful provisions, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act is the most important piece of federal legislation impacting America’s waste and recycling systems in many years. It has the potential to impose profound changes and rein in plastic waste’s negative impact on our air, land and water.… Read More
Neil Seldman, Director of ILSR’s Waste to Wealth initiative, wrote a letter to the editor explaining how to avoid issues with plastic packaging without putting the decision-making power in the hands of corporations.… Read More
Proponents of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Paper, Products, and Packaging (PPP) are jumping on the “China Crisis” bandwagon by attempting to revive efforts to shift control over recycling from local government and existing recycling companies to statewide non-profit agencies under the control of Big Soda companies and their allies.… Read More
