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Repair and repairability in France

The BBC, January 2021, reports that, in an effort to defuse the "vast amount of avoidable waste," last year France passed an "index of "repairability" ratings for appliances such as washing machines, lawnmowers, televisions and smartphones. In doing so, the French government hopes to increase the electronics repair rate to 60% within five years.

On Wishcycling and Responsibility

In the journal Discard Studies, Feb. 15, 2021, Rebecca Altman writes on the origins of the term "wishcycling" and concludes that "individualization shifts attention and agency for issues from industry and systems to individuals and their knowledge and habits." 

EPA grant for Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities

EPA Region 10 announced a grant funding opportunity open to state and local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and schools to "improve community health, resilience, and/or sustainability through pollution prevention and/or sustainable materials management implementation." EPA is hosting two informational webinars and applications are due April 30, 2021.

Washington product stewardship bills 2021

Washington needs producer responsibility (YouTube screen shot)The 2021 Washington Legislature, which runs Jan. 11 to April 26, will consider a packaging producer responsibility bill. 

Oregon product stewardship bills 2021

The 2021 Oregon Legislature will consider packaging producer responsibility. Session runs Jan. 19 to June 28, 2021.

Companies support EPR to reduce plastic waste

Mars and Unilever are "among companies that have said they would support so-called extended producer responsibility [EPR] rules as part of their broader efforts to reduce plastic waste and use more recycled material in their packaging," according to a Dec. 5, 2020 article in the Wall Street Journal.

Electronics EPR program recycles 15 million pounds

In December 2020, the E-Cycle Washington electronics producer responsibility program collected 1.32 million pounds of TVs, computers and monitors for recycling, raising the collection total to 15.17 million pounds (7,585 tons) for 2020, according to the Dept. of Ecology which oversees the manufacturer-run program.

New Basel Convention rules on plastic waste exports

On Jan. 1, 2021, it became illegal for 187 countries, parties to the Basel Convention, to receive a variety of plastics from the United States.

Right to Repair and Electronics

A December 2020 video from Freethink highlights the millions of pounds of electronics discarded each year, the accountability that e-Stewards certified recyclers provide, and how Right to Repair is essential to reducing the increasing volumes of unwanted electronics.

California Pharmaceutical and Sharps program to begin

California passed Pharmaceutical and Sharps stewardship bill SB 212 in 2018, the first combined law in the U.S., and after a rulemaking period regulations were finalized and went into effect Jan. 7, 2021.

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