CSWD: state lawmakers delay household hazardous EPR and task Agency of Agriculture on pesticide funding; tire EPR remains unsettled

CSWD staff updated commissioners on recent state legislative activity affecting recycling and hazardous‑waste programs.

Staff said the household hazardous waste extended producer responsibility (EPR) law — the nation’s first for household hazardous products — was amended to give producers more time to organize a producer responsibility organization and to add enforcement teeth: if producers fail to submit an acceptable plan in time, the Agency of Natural Resources may implement a plan and assign costs. Staff also said the legislature moved a large portion of products into the PaintCare program while negotiating that PaintCare would cover additional collection costs beyond disposal.

On pesticides, staff reported longstanding partial funding through the Agency of Agriculture’s producer registration fund has not been sustainable. The legislature directed the Agency of Agriculture to study and report on more sustainable funding mechanisms — including potential producer responsibility options — and to provide recommendations by December. Staff said this should help secure stable funding for pesticide collection and disposal, which the district has relied on through grants and reimbursements.

Commissioners asked about tire EPR. Staff said Connecticut has implemented tire EPR and is encountering implementation challenges; Vermont lacks the data Connecticut used (illegal dumping) and stakeholders including retailers and industry have raised concerns. CSWD staff said they have hosted regional conversations but that tire EPR will require better data and stakeholder alignment before the district would actively push for statewide legislation.

The board did not act on these updates; items were informational and staff will return with any developments affecting operations or funding.