CRRA2020

Executive Director

Doug has been “talking trash” for nearly 28 years and is currently Executive Director for the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC).  Previously, he spent 18+ years with Sacramento County, 2+ years with Edgar & Associates, and 5+ years with Yolo County.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Chico.

Doug is the Vice-Chair on the SWANA California Chapters Legislative Task Force.  Formerly, he was the Chair of CPSC, the Founding President of National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC), Chair of the Mattress Advisory Committee, and a member of the California Carpet Stewardship Program Advisory Committee.

Legislative News on Packaging Reform

Since the CRRA 2019 conference, several legislative fixes have been proposed to help resolve the growing packaging crisis.  Whether the fix comes from the statewide initiative that Mr. Potashner will describe, or though several legislative bills currently working their way through the California state legislature, the recycling industry is looking for answers.  Mr. Kobold's presentation will provide an update on several current legislative bills, SB 54 / AB 1080 & SB 372 for example, and any current bills not yet named at the time of this submission.  He will provide details about each bill, along with the pros and cons of each.

Vice President & Senior Director of Strategic Affairs

Eric Potashner joined Recology’ Corporate team in 2012. Eric is responsible for the government affairs, permitting and planning as well as community and media relations activities in the 4 states and over 100 communities where Recology operates. Outside of his duties at Recology Eric serves on the Board of Directors for Young Community Developers and Clinic by the Bay. Prior to joining Recology, Eric was a political consultant at Platinum Advisors (2008-2012) and worked as a Chief of Staff for State Senator Carole Migden in Sacramento (1999-2008).

The California Recycling and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act of 2020

Mr. Potashner will provide an update on the statewide initiative, the “California Recycling and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act of 2020”.  He will also provide an update on how recycling companies like Recology are adapting to the new recycling markets since the implementation of China’s National Sword policy.

Master's Student

Banning plastic straw by straw won't work. Or will it?

The trend of banning single-use plastic products item by item is the most common way to reduce plastic pollution in California, the European Union and world-wide. In June of 2019, the EU passed one of the first comprehensive plastic reduction legislations in the world. Four months later, California failed to pass a similar bill. As the State works towards a comprehensive legislation, local agencies who have more regulatory agility will need to ensure that each additional product ban is as effective as intended. This session will evaluate current plastic pollution policies so that attendees can make informed decisions regarding comprehensive and coordinated plastic packaging legislation in an effort to reduce contamination of recycling, support recycling markets and decrease land and marine plastic pollution. Attendees of this presentation will hear the results of the research as it relates to legislative goal attainment and unintended side effects of single-product bans as a means for supporting argumentation for sound policy development. 

Director