Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), also known as Product Stewardship, is a policy strategy in which manufacturers, rather than consumers, are responsible for the collection and recycling/safe disposal of their products. This shift transfers the financial burden of product disposal from municipalities and states back to the product manufacturers. By placing the primary responsibility on the producer, EPR policies also encourage product design changes that minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment at every stage of the product’s lifecycle. 

While manufacturers are required to foot the bill for the stewardship programs, critics argue that the costs of processing and disposal would be incorporated into the total cost of a product, ultimately impacting prices. However, this “comprehensive pricing” provides the opportunity for markets to emerge that truly reflect the environmental impacts of a product, and to which producers and consumers respond.

EPR policies are widespread throughout Europe and Canada and are gaining traction in the United States. Connecticut currently has EPR bills for the disposal or recycling of electronics, paint, and mattresses/box springs.

Recently, Governor Ned Lamont introduced a bill that would require paper and packaging products — everything from Amazon boxes, food wrappers, and those toilsome plastic clamshells — to pitch in to cover the costs of recycling their products in Connecticut. Ultimately, this component of the bill is on hold until neighboring states adopt their own similar programs.

EPR PROGRAMS IN WESTPORT

The Westport Transfer Station collects paint and e-waste under the State’s EPR initiative:

• Paint: the paint that is collected at the Transfer Station is hauled and recycled by Clean Harbors in Bristol, CT. FYI, about 1.9 tons of paint are recycled per month, and since its start on 9/5/2017, Westport has recycled over 140 tons of paint.
• E-Waste: the electronics that are collected at the Transfer Station are recycled by Take2 Inc. in Waterbury, CT. We also receive a rebate from Take2, that averages approximately $460/quarter.

The Westport Transfer Station also collects the following materials as mandated by the state of CT:

Textiles: are transported and recycled by Bay State Textiles in Pembroke, MA. Bay State issues the Town of Westport a rebate of approximately $125/mo.

Corrugated Cardboard: is transported directly from the transfer station by Enviro Express to the Oak Ridge Materials Recovery Facility in Shelton, CT. 

Scrap Metal: is hauled by Enviro, and at this time is brought to Lajoie’s Scrap Metal & Metal Recycling in Norwalk. Enviro deducts the income from the scrap metal from Westport’s Trash Hauling costs.

Batteries & Lightbulbs: are transported and recycled by Northeast Lamp Recycling in East Windsor, CT. Any costs associated with these recycling streams are absorbed in Enviro’s Transfer Station contract.

Oil & Antifreeze: are transported and recycled by Tradebe Environmental Services in Bridgeport. Any costs associated with these recycling streams are absorbed in Enviro’s Transfer Station contract.

Glass: Since February 2022, Westport has collected glass separately from the single stream at the Transfer Station. When glass is separated from mixed recycling there is less contamination, resulting in higher-quality and more valuable glass material. To date, we have collected five, forty-yard dumpsters of glass, which makes its way to Urban Mining in Beacon Falls, CT. There it is ground down and transformed into pozzolan, an industrial filler for concrete that is safer, more sustainable, and higher performing than its predecessor, fly ash, a byproduct of coal-burning power plants. Westport can buy this recycled product to use in its municipal building projects (a circular economy!).

Additional EPR collection opportunities:

Mattress/Box Spring: Mattresses and box springs can be recycled at Sustainable Westport and Earthplace’s bi-annual mattress and box spring recycling event. Our next collection is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Earthplace. Miss the recycling event? You can recycle your mattress or box spring anytime at Buy Buy Mattress located at Park City Green located in Bridgeport.

Propane Tanks: Connecticut was the first state in the country to pass a bill to mandate the collection of propane tanks. Westport will be required to provide a disposal option in the near future. In the meantime, here is a list of companies that will dispose of propane tanks.

Separate glass recycling bins at the Westport Transfer Station