Local governments in Vermont have formed the Vermont Product Stewardship Council (VTPSC) to shift waste management costs and responsibilities to manufacturers. The council’s goal is to give manufacturers incentives to redesign their products so they are less toxic, more durable and repairable, and easier to recycle and compost.

“As members of municipal solid waste districts and alliances, we are all concerned about the ever-increasing volume, disposal costs and toxicity of products found in our waste stream,” said Jen Holliday, chairman and founder of VTPSC, in a press release.

VTPSC, joining the California, Midwest and Northwest product stewardship councils, seeks to advance sustainable production and consumption by partnering with businesses and non-governmental organizations..