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Product Stewardship and Product Stewardship and the Precautionarythe PrecautionaryPrinciplePrinciple
SF Department of the EnvironmentSF Department of the Environment
SFE OverviewSFE Overview
..
Product StewardshipProduct Stewardship
San Francisco has been very active over San Francisco has been very active over the past 20 +yearsthe past 20 +years
Many different local initiatives that have Many different local initiatives that have resulted in effective programs throughout resulted in effective programs throughout San FranciscoSan Francisco
San Francisco has also been active San Francisco has also been active statewide and nationally advocating for statewide and nationally advocating for extended producer responsibility policiesextended producer responsibility policies
HistoryHistory
Long SF history of promoting toxics reduction Long SF history of promoting toxics reduction and proper HHW handling - first HHWF in CAand proper HHW handling - first HHWF in CA
Learned from British Columbia and Northwest Learned from British Columbia and Northwest Product Stewardship Council formationProduct Stewardship Council formation
Worked with Product Stewardship InstituteWorked with Product Stewardship Institute Advocated locally on individual campaigns Advocated locally on individual campaigns Joined effort to create California Product Joined effort to create California Product
Stewardship Council, it has been a great step Stewardship Council, it has been a great step ““Adopt” neighboring jurisdictionsAdopt” neighboring jurisdictions
ExamplesExamples
Paint take-back in place for over 20 yearsPaint take-back in place for over 20 years 100 retail locations taking batteries100 retail locations taking batteries 35 taking CFLs35 taking CFLs 70 needles drop-off locations70 needles drop-off locations Effective mercury thermometer exchangesEffective mercury thermometer exchanges Most are small retail, hardware and pharmacy type stores Most are small retail, hardware and pharmacy type stores
where space is at a premiumwhere space is at a premium Shows the big box stores and manufacturers that it can be Shows the big box stores and manufacturers that it can be
done, and that residents use itdone, and that residents use it No excuse if “Mom and Pop” in SF can do it with no space, No excuse if “Mom and Pop” in SF can do it with no space,
displaces other products, on their own staff timedisplaces other products, on their own staff time As locations increase HHWF stays constant, no dropAs locations increase HHWF stays constant, no drop
The Precautionary The Precautionary ApproachApproach
It is It is NOTNOT sufficient to ask: sufficient to ask:Is it legal?Is it legal?Is it safe?Is it safe?
We also We also MUSTMUST ask: ask:
Is it necessary?Is it necessary?
How long do we wait, how How long do we wait, how much harm do we allow,much harm do we allow,before taking action?before taking action?
The Precautionary The Precautionary PrinciplePrinciple
≠≠ Zero riskZero risk
≠≠ Zero scienceZero science
≠≠ Loss of jobsLoss of jobs
≠ ≠ Predetermined Predetermined outcome outcome (i.e. ban)(i.e. ban)
== Minimize harmMinimize harm
== Maximize info./scienceMaximize info./science
== Increase innovationIncrease innovation
= = Transparent Process Transparent Process for public decision for public decision makingmaking
So that when we ask:So that when we ask: It is legal?It is legal?
Confident our laws are protective of all lifeConfident our laws are protective of all life
Is it safe?Is it safe? Sufficient data and testing so that we Sufficient data and testing so that we
understand how a chemical interacts within understand how a chemical interacts within organisms and ecosystemsorganisms and ecosystems
Is it necessary?Is it necessary? Affected communities are at the table, we are Affected communities are at the table, we are
all empowered to examine all the all empowered to examine all the alternatives, and to choose those that alternatives, and to choose those that minimize harmminimize harm
The Precautionary The Precautionary PrinciplePrinciple
== Adopted in 2006 Adopted in 2006
== Incorporated as part of the Incorporated as part of the Environmental Code in SF Environmental Code in SF
SF bans Bpa in baby SF bans Bpa in baby bottles: bottles:
Retailers answerRetailers answer
Other examples of, Other examples of, “Is is necessary?”“Is is necessary?”
Plastic bagsPlastic bags Water bottlesWater bottles Artificial TurfArtificial Turf Energy efficient lighting that Energy efficient lighting that
contains mercurycontains mercury
Contact:Contact:
Marjaneh ZarrehparvarMarjaneh Zarrehparvar
415-355-3756415-355-3756
[email protected]@sfgov.org
Debbie RaphaelDebbie Raphael
415-355-3711415-355-3711
