Product Stewardship

What is Product Stewardship?

Unlike recycling, where the responsibility of safe disposal lands on the end user, product stewardship assigns that responsibility throughout all stages of a product’s lifecycle, including manufacturers/producers, sellers, buyers, and disposers. Learn more about product stewardship and extended producer responsibility (EPR) here:

Product Stewardship in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has two product stewardship laws:

  1. The Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act for the Safe Disposal of Electronics
    1. Proper disposal of electronics is important because they contain recyclable materials as well as energy intensive precious metals that are harmful to human health and the environment.
    2. Best Buy and Staples responsibly recycle most household electronics for free. Be sure to check their websites before dropping off.
      1. Best Buy Electronic Recycling
      2. Staples Electronic Recycling
    3. You can also search for certified electronic recyclers near you here:
      1. E-Stewards
      2. Find an R2 Certified Facility
    4. TVs are recycled for a fee of $25
    5. Check your computer’s manufacturer’s website for take-back options. The Oklahoma Computer Equipment Recovery Act requires computer manufacturers to have a free take-back program for recycling computers. This is often a mail-back program.
      1. Find out more here: Recycling Computer Equipment - Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

 

  1. The Oklahoma Used Tire Recycling Act for the Safe Disposal of Tires
    1. The Oklahoma Used Tire Recycling Act puts a fee on each tire sold and a fee on newly registered vehicles. These fees pay for responsible tire recycling, community-wide tire collection events, and tire dump cleanups.
      1. Find out more here: Used Tire Recycling Program - Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

Other Product Stewardship Initiatives in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Meds and Sharps Disposal Committee for the Safe Disposal of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Sharps

  • The Oklahoma Meds and Sharps Disposal Committee for the Safe Disposal of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Sharps
    • When improperly disposed, pharmaceuticals can lead to drug overdoses and environmental contamination, while loose sharps are dangerous for those who encounter them. Find out more about the committee, learn how to safely dispose of these items, check out the guide for municipalities to start a sharps collection program, and more from the Oklahoma Meds and Sharps Disposal Committee:
  • Batteries

 

 

  • ATTENTION ALL LOCAL OKLAHOMA GOVERNMENTS
    • The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality partners with Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) so that all local governments in Oklahoma are permitted to receive Full Member Benefits from PSI. PSI is a national nonprofit bringing diverse stakeholders together to reduce the health and environmental impacts of consumer products and packaging with a strong focus on sustainable end-of-life management (Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)). Full Member benefits include:
      • Access to Key Information: product stewardship email newsletter; twice/month legislative updates and access to our 24/7 online legislation tracker; product stewardship news alerts; free access to PSI live webinars and webinar recordings; privileged access to online resources, reports, and toolkits; access to PSI staff for technical and strategic guidance.
      • Access to a Network of Public Policy Experts: inclusion in national policy discussions, including government-only strategy workgroups and multi-stakeholder dialogues; networking and relationship building opportunities with other government agencies as well as industry leaders, retailers, and environmental advocates.
      • Leadership Recognition: invitations to speak on PSI webinars, at the U.S. Product Stewardship Forum, and other conferences and events; agency name recognition on the PSI website; opportunities to promote ODEQ initiatives to PSI’s 10,000+ person network; eligibility to serve on the PSI Board of Directors.

Officials from local and state government and tribal representatives can sign up online here by selecting their population level for the community they serve. When it comes time to pay the invoice, enter the code ODEQ25 as the discount to get membership for free.

 

Oklahoma Meds and Sharps Disposal Committee (OMSDC)

The OMSDC is a coalition of professionals working on a statewide solution for the safe disposal of medical sharps and leftover pharmaceuticals for Oklahoma residents. Funded by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality with facilitation and technical support from the Product Stewardship Institute, the committee meets periodically to share information and to develop solutions. Find more information and resources such as a statewide map of pharmaceutical locations, a Guide to Building a Municipal Program from Home-Generated Medical Sharps, fact sheets on the safe disposal of sharps and pharmaceuticals, and information on OMSDC's.

Press Release 12-19-22: OK Launches Sharp Disposal Program.

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Safe Disposal of Batteries

It is important to properly dispose of batteries.  The U.S. EPA has recently published information about the types of batteries used in households and how to manage them when they are no longer needed.  Certain batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins.