Extended Producer Responsibility 101 - A Panel Discussion
Track
Reuse
Session Description
The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) is California’s thought leader and expert on Product Stewardship and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) movement. EPR enjoys the support of more than 26 million Californians, and nearly 150 resolutions have been passed by California local jurisdictions and organizations supporting a more sustainable and toxic-free environment through product stewardship and EPR.
Now is the time to learn more about the exciting EPR movement! In this session, CPSC representatives will cover various aspects of EPR in a panel discussion format.
The primary focus of this session is to understand the stewardship spectrum – spanning from EPR to product stewardship or “consumer responsibility”. Key take-aways for this session include defining the product stewardship spectrum, presenting current and future legislative pathways towards EPR solutions, identifying existing programs that help Californians make more sustainable product choices, and how CPSC’s experiences in leading California’s EPR movement has identified other key components and issues that need to be addressed. Additionally, the session presenters will share examples of successful programs across the spectrum and will provide time for Q&A.
CPSC is a powerful network of local governments, non-government organizations, businesses, and individuals supporting policies and projects where producers share in the responsibility for managing problem products at their end of life.
Speakers
Nate Pelczar, CPSC
Title
Special Projects Manager
Speaker Biography
Nate Pelczar joined CPSC in 2018 as a Program Manager. Nate manages CPSC’s largest grant project, the California Drug Take-Back Program, via a $3 million grant from California Department of Health Care Services to combat the opioid epidemic. He is also involved in the management of many grants related to the reduction of household hazardous waste, single-use propane cylinders, and other material management issues. Nate’s passion for the environment aligns with CPSC’s focus on producer responsibility policy and driving a circular economy. His experience working with large corporations continues to help CPSC work collaboratively with the private sector.
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Virginia McCormick, CPSC
Title
Associate
Speaker Biography
Virginia McCormick attended CSU Sacramento and pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Virginia worked as a professor assistant, and held leadership roles serving as Co-Chair for Millennials in Media and Secretary for the Secular Student Alliance. She interned through National Public Radio’s NextGenRadio program via Capital Public Radio, and UC Center Sacramento’s program via Capitol Weekly. Virginia continued working with Capitol Weekly following her internship. Following this, Virginia worked as an Environmental Health & Safety Admin, which sparked her interest in environmental protection. Virginia joined CPSC in 2022 as an Associate working on a variety of projects.
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Yalin Li, CPSC
Title
Senior Associate
Speaker Biography
Yalin Li holds a M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of California Davis and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon (U of O). A previous internship with the Oregon Sea Grant sparked an interest in water pollution prevention to protect sea life. Yalin joins CPSC as a Senior Associate and the Lead Ocean Pollution Advocate working on a variety of projects for marine flare collection and education, and policy advocacy for extended producer responsibility and product stewardship.
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Joanne Brasch, California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC)
Title
Special Projects Manager
Speaker Biography
Dr. Joanne Brasch holds a PhD in Textile Economics and Environmental Analysis from the University of California, Davis, where she also received a Master’s degree in Textile Science and a Bachelor’s degree in International Agricultural Development. Her topics of interest include global commodity systems, supply-chain sustainability, and environmental protection. She currently works as Special Projects Manager at the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) and has worked for its national spinoff, the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC), to lead projects that promote a circular economy using Product Stewardship and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
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Moderator
Colleen Foster, CRRA Board of Directors
Title
Vice Chair