Environment

It is everyone’s responsibility to protect our environment.

Product Stewardship

In an era of reform within government, one area that deserves extra attention are those activities that are subsidized through our tax dollars yet should be performed by the private sector.  Products that are considered hazardous to our health or environment have typically been processed through county run facilities at taxpayer expense.  Upon the end of life for these products consumers or contractors will bring these products to a county site to recycle, reuse or properly dispose of that product.  In recent years, the state has begun recognizing special situations with certain products such as tires, batteries, oil and electronic waste.  Paint, pharmaceuticals, compact fluorescent light bulbs and carpet are now on the short list of products requiring special attention.  Paint is currently accepted at our county facilities, however, only 50% of the unused paint is brought in.  Even at 50% return rates, paint is one of the largest volume solid waste products filling our county recycling/disposal centers.  It is also costing our counties over $5 million per year.  The time has arrived to reorganize this activity in order to include the private sector whereby costs can be reduced, convenience to participate will increase, more unused product will be returned, and a more efficient process will be established.  Such a program has been introduced and passed through the legislature overwhelmingly only to be vetoed by the Governor.    With Minnesota paint manufacturers and retailers, contractors and county solid waste management administrators , plus the Association of Counties and Minnesota Fire Chiefs all in support, I will continue to working toward enactment of a pilot project to reorganize our post-consumer paint recovery program in Minnesota . 

Pharmaceuticals              Safe Drug Disposal Act

Law enforcement will tell you that one of the most dangerous drugs on the market today and generally the easiest to get are over the counter medicines and prescription drugs.  Just this past year we were witness to several high profile deaths due to the adverse effects of pharmaceuticals, some even being administered under the supervision of a physician.   From 2000 to 2005, spending on pharmaceuticals in this country has grown from $40 billion to over $200 billion and what does not go towards its intended use ends up in our solid waste stream, our water supply or in the wrong hands.  Compound that with the massive costs of over-prescribing,  adverse reactions and deaths, law enforcement and disposal collection costs and we have a market generated problem that is growing and remains largely without a systemic solution.  Current regulations addressing this issue are confusing and contradictory.  I have introduced the Safe Drug Disposal Act to institute a sensible, cost-effective program to empower local and state authorities to clean up our communities of unused and unwanted pharmaceuticals.