The National Association of Counties want businesses to take responsibility for their products in the long run. The organization held its annual meeting this week and passed a resolution to support business-run product takeback programs. County offiicals want manufacturers to take responsibility for recovering, reusing and recycling their products.

If manufacturers are required to do just that, they are likely to create more sustainable products. But there are reasons that it's also in the best interest of a county or municipality to mandate extended producer responsibility. Most counties simply don't have the budget to maintain long-term recycling projects for the wide variety of waste that need such services. They're faced with two options: letting all manner of reusable products go to landfills or use tax money to pay for recylcing programs.

Retailers, such as Best Buy, and manufacturers, such as Apple, have started takeback programs of their own initiative. They've made a good start. But many other businesses — especially small businesses — may need a little incentive to move in the same direction. A requirement from their local government might provide such an incentive, assuming it was accompanied by the information needed to help companies make the transition.

Photo — Hermida