Prayers for Fenton Rood and Family
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Dear PSI Community,
Happy Earth Day. In 1970, when we first celebrated this day, the environmental movement was just beginning. It emerged from the conservationism of John Muir and the science and fortitude of Rachel Carson, who exposed pesticide manufacturers as responsible for the health and environmental impacts of their products. Today, we are all aware of our responsibilities to safeguard our habitat and the ramifications of not taking that seriously. To ensure a healthy planet for all, we can learn from those who plowed the ground on which we, as environmental stewards, now stand.
Speaking of notable stewards, we have some tough news to share. Our good friend and former board member, Fenton Rood, was mauled last week by a pack of wild dogs while jogging in a rural area near his home in Oklahoma. Here is the KFOR Channel 4 coverage of the attack (warning: not for the faint hearted). Fenton miraculously survived and is recovering in the ICU at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He has a long road of healing ahead, and has already had multiple surgeries. His wife, Tempie, is providing daily updates on his progress from her Facebook page. We encourage the community to contribute to the Go Fund Me page that the Oklahoma Recycling Association (OKRA) has set up for Fenton to help support the family, including paying medical expenses and running their small horse farm. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with Fenton, Tempie, and their daughter Shanti.
Scott, Amanda, and the PSI Team
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Product Stewardship Updates |
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Missouri Recycled Paint Demonstrations Expand |
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In Missouri, approximately 1.3 million gallons of unused paint are primarily landfilled each year, with only a small portion recycled. But our work with the International Paint Recycling Association and the American Coatings Association has shown how paint stewardship programs can dramatically increase recycled paint production, reduce costs, create jobs, and yield dramatic environmental benefits. To develop Missouri’s market for recycled paint, show that it is as high-quality as virgin paint, and support the introduction of legislation that would require manufacturers to establish a paint stewardship program (HB 2852), last fall the Product Stewardship Institute partnered with the Missouri Product Stewardship Council to launch a recycled paint demonstration series. “Recycled Paint: Better for Your Pocket and the Planet" installations took place in Springfield and Ashland; this spring, the program expands to include historic buildings in Ash Grove and the Missouri State Parks Central Warehouse at Lake of the Ozarks. For more information on the demonstrations and paint stewardship, contact Brendan Adamczyk, PSI’s associate for policy and programs.
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NY Packaging: New Bills on Deck |
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Earlier this month, PSI and the New York Product Stewardship Council put together a comprehensive toolkit for municipalities to support the inclusion of NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging plan in the state budget. The provision would have allocated funding to fortify and expand recycling systems for packaging and paper products throughout the state. Despite best efforts, the budget that recently passed the state legislature did not include the governor’s packaging EPR plan. Last year, Senator Todd Kaminsky championed a bill (S.1185C) that used PSI’s model packaging EPR bill as its basis, and he is expected to introduce an updated bill soon; Assemblymember Steve Englebright is also working on a packaging EPR bill. For more information about packaging EPR, contact Sydney Harris, PSI’s policy and programs manager.
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Illinois: Drug Take-Back Act Set to Become Law |
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Over the past few years, PSI engaged in stakeholder discussions and built a coalition to support the Drug Take-Back Act (HB 1780), which passed the Illinois General Assembly last week and is headed to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk for signature. The bill requires drug manufacturers to pay for and run a drug take-back program in Illinois and provides free, convenient access to safe drug disposal statewide.
The coalition’s work was built on the foundation laid by PSI, which over the past 15 years has paved the way for the passage of drug take-back laws in the U.S. PSI developed model drug take-back legislation and led a national effort to change the federal Controlled Substances Act and Drug Enforcement Administration regulations to allow convenient pharmacy collections. Today, PSI works with state and local agencies around the country to share strategies and support take-back policies. For information about pharmaceuticals stewardship, contact Lelande Rehard, PSI’s policy and programs senior associate.
“This new law will be a critical step toward reducing the prescription opioid crisis and will go a long way to protect our water quality,” said Scott Cassel, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of PSI, about the Illinois bill. “The law will remove a substantial financial and management burden from governments and taxpayers, placing the primary responsibility with the drug companies that put these products on the market.”
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PSI has been at the leading edge of the U.S. EPR movement for the past 21 years — and we’re looking for a superstar to join our dedicated team of environmental stewards. Please check out the exciting opportunity below, apply today, and share with your networks. Thanks!
Junior Policy Associate: This position is perfect for an energetic individual looking to launch their career in product stewardship and eager to learn from experts in the field. Responsibilities include conducting research, tracking and analyzing EPR legislation, helping develop policy models, and interacting with external stakeholders. Learn more and apply today.
Other Product Stewardship Jobs
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Nebraska Recycling Council, Executive Director. Applications are due May 1. Apply online
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Missouri Recycling Association, Executive Director. Send resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to Lisa McDaniel at lmcdaniel@marc.org.
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Data plays an important role in the waste and recycling management industry. Yet most organizations operate within the mantra of “my data is good enough” or even more significantly, “sure, poor data sucks, but it really doesn’t cost me anything.” On June 8th, Diversys will host a free webinar to explore how difficult it is to keep operating on this basis, especially when managing programs with paper-based or other outdated processes.
My Data is Good Enough: The Real Cost of Bad Data and Data Management for the Recycling & Waste Management Industry will explore the true cost of bad data and identify how it can be converted into high-quality data by eliminating paper to ensure that good data becomes the driving force of an organization, reducing costs in the process. Attendees will receive "The Cost of Poor Data and Data Management," an exclusive whitepaper offering a simple framework to assess and improve the quality of data.
When: June 8, 2022 | 2:00-2:45pm EDT (11am PT)
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“Industry Announcements,” Resource Recycling, April 11. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration appoints Scott Cassel, PSI’s CEO and founder, to its Marine Debris Foundation.
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May 17-19
Use code PSIC22PARTNER for a 15% discount.
As the leading convening of professionals building the circular economy, Circularity 22 offers thought-provoking keynotes, informative breakouts, a solutions-oriented expo, and engaging networking opportunities. Sydney Harris, PSI's policy and programs manager, will speak in the "Policy Levers: EPR, DRS, and PCR minimums" breakout session on Wednesday, May 18, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
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May 22-25, 2022 | Bolton Landing, NY
Scott Cassel, PSI’s CEO and founder, will present on EPR for solar panels and batteries as part of a panel discussion: Progress on EPR for Specific Materials, Monday, May 23, 2:30-4:00 ET.
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Other events of interest
The Product Care Association of Canada will hold public consultations regarding amendments to the BC Paint and Household Hazardous Waste Extended Producer Responsibility Program Plan on Tuesday May 3 and Thursday May 5. Learn more
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Missouri Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Forum: Solar Panel Recycling & Stewardship
20 minutes
Brendan Adamczyk, PSI’s associate for policy and programs, presented about the challenges of solar panel waste and opportunities for stewardship in Missouri.
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The State of Waste and Recycling: Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual Meeting Workshop
Sydney Harris, PSI’s policy and programs manager, presented a primer on extended producer responsibility for packaging and other products in Massachusetts.
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PSI Lunch & Learn: The Latest on 2022 EPR Legislation
PSI’s expert policy team provided an overview of this year’s EPR legislative progress, including bills on paint, batteries, electronics, pharmaceuticals, carpet, mattresses, household hazardous waste, gas cylinders — and of course packaging! This event is a benefit exclusively for Full Members and Partners at the Supporter level and above.
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These updates are an exclusive benefit for PSI Full Members and Partners.
Please do not forward outside of your organization.
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PSI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of our members, partners, and supporters to do our great work. Thank you!
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The Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Persons with disabilities who require alternatively formatted materials to ensure effective communication should contact Amanda Nicholson at amanda@productstewardship.us or 617.236.4833, TTY: use 711 or 800-439-2730; MassRelay.
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