Whose responsibility?

Abstract

Without a comprehensive national approach, and recognizing the advantages of product-oriented policy that stipulates greater responsibility for manufacturers, states are stepping in to explore how product stewardship may be implemented for problem wastes. Thus far, only a handful of states are involved, and most measures are still in the proposal stage. But to any observer of how states are struggling to deal with mounting solid waste management problems, clearly there is a growing movement under way, one that will likely expand rapidly in the absence of a federal program. However, a state approach to product stewardship, while arguably warranted for the near term, cannot be viewed as a long-term solution in the face of multiplying international calls for manufacturers to address the life-cycle environmental impacts of their products and the potential national economic development opportunities from a growing re-use and recycling infrastructure. The states are showing the way, and the environment is benefiting as a result. But at some point the federal government must step in to create a truly national program that will fully realize these benefits, particularly by using its ability to regulate interstate commerce. At the very least, it should step in to assist the states - and manufacturers - by providing national standards that will prevent a patchwork of different programs from arising and to otherwise help coordinate and facilitate state efforts.