Networking Call Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 14, 2009

Product Stewardship Institute? What is the Product Stewardship Institute? Non-profit, founded in 2000 Multi-stakeholder product stewardship network Board of Directors: 7 states, 4 local agencies Members: 45 states 100+ local gov’ts 35+ Corporate Partners 15+ Organizational/Academic Partners

PSI State Members

PSI Projects Radioactive devices Pharmaceuticals Tires Medical sharps Batteries Beverage containers Pesticides Packaging Motor oil Pharmaceuticals Medical sharps Fluorescent lamps Paint Mercury thermostats Gas cylinders Telephone books Electronics

What is Product Stewardship? “Product Stewardship" is a principle that directs all those involved in the life cycle of a product to take shared responsibility for reducing the health and environmental impacts that result from the production, use, and end-of-life management of that product.

What’s the Problem? “Industry unfunded mandate” “Government subsidy of business”

Product Stewardship (2001) PSI Principles of Product Stewardship (2001) Cost internalization Shared responsibility (manufacturers have greatest role to play – producer responsibility) Flexibility for manufacturers Lifecycle costs Performance goals

Results Sought Product design changes Greater environmental protection Resource recovery (source reduction, reuse, recycling) Reduce release of toxic substances in mfr, use, disposal Reduce GHG emissions Economic benefits Save money for local government (+ expanded service) Green jobs

State EPR Laws 2004

State EPR Laws 2009

Sharing Responsibility: Manufacturer Role Design and produce sustainable products End-of-life management costs included into company’s cost of doing business Take responsibility for managing their own products – may create product stewardship organization

Sharing Responsibility: Retailer Role Product collection/recycling Education of consumer at point of purchase Incentives to consumer to return items (e.g., coupons) Sell sustainable products

Sharing Responsibility: State (Federal) Government Program planning and oversight Set performance goals Enforcement to level playing field Education of consumers & local (state) gov’ts Testing new programs (state gov’t) Harmonize programs nationally (federal gov’t)

Sharing Responsibility: Local Government Program planning & facility operations Use existing infrastructure  cost effective Develop pilot projects Educate residents

Sharing Responsibility: Consumers Bring used products to take-back locations Buy sustainable products

Early Product Stewardship Systems Beverage containers (Bottle Bill) Tires, Automobile batteries, Motor oil The Old Way: Visible fees Government managed funds Government responsibility

Example: Paint 1st law in Oregon Stakeholder consensus on roles Manufacturers Retailers Customers Local gov’t State gov’t Federal gov’t CA, CT, VT, IA, SC, ?

For More Information Contact… Scott Cassel – Executive Director/Founder 617-236-4822 scott@productstewardship.us www.productstewardship.us