CC Resolution 2009-109RESOLUTION NO. 2009 - 109
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA QUINTA SUPPORTING EXTENDED PRODUCER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DISPOSAL OF WASTE
WHEREAS, approximately 40,000 tons of discarded materials and products
are currently sent to disposal from our community on an annual basis at a cost of
538.84 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 discarded products; 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, the City of La Quinta supports statewide efforts to hold
producers responsible for Universal Waste products and other product waste
management costs; and
Resolution No. 2009-109
Extended Producer Responsibility for Hazardous Waste Disposal
Adopted: December 75, 2009
Page 2
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, the City of La Quinta 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 has adopted
Strategic Directives to begin developing statewide EPR programs.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of La Quinta urges the
California Integrated Waste Management Board 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 the City of La Quinta urges the California
Legislature to enact framework EPR legislation that shifts Universal and other
waste managemeht 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 La Quinta
be authorized to send letters to the league of California Cities, the California State
Association of Counties, and the California Integrated Waste Management Board,
and the State legislature and to use other advocacy methods to urge support for
EPR framework legislation; and
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Resolution No. 2009-109
Extended Producer Responsibility for Hazardous Waste Disposal
Adopted: December 15, 2009
Page 3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager of the City of La Quinta
be authorized to sign the California Product 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 La Quinta encourages 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.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta
City Council held on this 15`" day of December 2009, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Council Members Evans, Franklin, Henderson, Sniff, Mayor Adolph
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
DON ADOLP ,May
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
VERONICA J. MONTECINO, CIVIC, City Clerk
City of La Quiti~a, California
(City Seal)
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Resolution No. 2009-109
Extended Producer Responsibility for Hazardous Waste Disposal
Adopted: December 15, 2009
Page 4
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
M. KATH INE JENS~N, City Attorney
City of La Quinta, California
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