California Weighs Producer Liability for Household Product Waste

California is considering legislation that would put companies on the hook for managing waste from household products like cleaners and solvents, a cost that local jurisdictions have been bearing for years.

Senate Bill 1143 would require manufacturers, through a nonprofit producer responsibility organization, to collect and dispose of household hazardous waste—or reimburse the cities and counties that currently manage the products’ end-lives.

If the legislation, authored by state Sen. Ben Allen (D), passes, California would become the only other state besides Vermont with this kind of extended producer responsibility (EPR) program. Failure to comply could result in a fine of ...