STATE TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROL DEPUTY HEADS SOLUTIONS PANEL

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Leonard Robinson, Chief Deputy Director for the California Department of Toxic Substance Control, (http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/) will lead a panel discussion on the California Take It Back! Partnership, Monday, Oct. 8 from 2-3 p.m at the Hazardous Materials Management Association’s Annual Conference. The conference is in San Diego at the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego

The California Take It Back! Partnership is a consortium of state and local government, retail stores, businesses, academia, non-profit organizations and energy utilities that are providing, or making provisions for, California residents to properly recycle their used fluorescent lights, used alkaline batteries and used electronics at locations that are free, local and convenient.

Robinson says, “The residents of California take pride in their environment. It is important for government and business to team up and provide locations for Californians to properly manage their used fluorescent lights, alkaline batteries and electronics at locations where they live, work, shop play or go to school.

“These items, if improperly managed, can pollute drinking water and soil as well as negatively impact public health.”

Representatives from Wal-Mart, Pacific Gas and Electric and a local agency will participate on the panel with Robinson.

Robinson is available as a keynote speaker or topic speaker on e-waste and issues regarding Toxic Substance Control. For more information call Kim Smith at (916) 322-2198 or e-mail kim.smith@dtsc.ca.gov.

Leonard E. Robinson was appointed to the position of Chief Deputy Director for the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in September of 2004. He has over thirty (30) years experience in the environmental management.

Currently serving as DTSC’s Chief Deputy Director, Mr. Robinson oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office of Legal Affairs; Hazardous Waste Management and Statewide Compliance Program; Site Mitigation and Brownfields Reuse Program; External Affairs; Legislative Affairs; and the Science, Pollution Prevention and Technology Program. DTSC‘s mission is to protect public health and the environment. Mr. Robinson is spearheading the “California Take It Back! Partnership”. This Partnership is a consortium of State and Local Government, retail stores, non-profit agencies and utilities that provide free local and convenient locations for California consumers to recycle their universal wastes. Robinson has been a featured speaker at several functions and conferences including the California Waste Association (CWA), Air & Waste Management Association, California Certified Unified Program Agencies (Cal-CUPA), Steel Manufacturers Association, Law Seminars International, Environmental Industry Summit and the Product Stewardship Council.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Robinson was the Environmental/Safety Manager at TAMCO Steel. Located in Rancho Cucamonga, it is California’s only steel mill. While at TAMCO Steel, Mr. Robinson started a program that recycled used oil filters into steel reinforcing bar (rebar) for use in the construction industry. Another recycling program started by him was named “Project Isaiah,” a program where firearms delivered by Southern California law enforcement agencies were melted and also recycled into rebar.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Robinson also taught leadership and executive management classes. He was a daily radio talk show host on KTIE 590 AM, a lecturer and a motivational speaker. He has authored two books: “PositivitY” and “Getting Back To Abnormal” that are waiting to be published. Mr. Robinson served as Principal of UC Riverside’s Saturday Academy, which was a program that placed low income children on track for college.

Mr. Robinson’s past Board and Committee activities included:

• Board Member – Scholarship, Opportunities, Achievement and Responsibility (S.O.A.R.)
• Board Member – California Waste Association (CWA)
• Board Member – Public Broadcast Station WETA Advisory
• Board Member – Keep California Beautiful
• Chair – Steel Manufacturers Association Environment Committee
• Member – National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
• Chair – Moreno Valley Ecological Protection Committee
• Adjunct Instructor – Environmental Technology at Chaffey Community College
• Member – Governor’s Emergency Operation Executive Committee
• Member – “Leadership for the Government Executive ” Advisory Committee