© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Meeting sponsored by:

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 NON-REFILLABLE GAS CYLINDERS RECYCLING WORKSHOP October 8, 2009 Milwaukee, WI Sponsored by Worthington Cylinders Scott Cassel, Executive Director/Founder Product Stewardship Institute, Inc.

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, What is the Product Stewardship Institute? Non-Profit, based in Boston, founded in 2000 Membership 45 States 45 States 100+ Local governments 100+ Local governments 35+ Corporate Partners 35+ Corporate Partners 15+ Organizational/Academic Partners 15+ Organizational/Academic Partners Board of Directors: 7 states, 4 local agencies Multi-stakeholder product stewardship network

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 PSI State Members –

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 PSI Projects  Gas Cylinders  Electronics  Paint  Fluorescent Lamps  Mercury Thermostats  Pharmaceuticals  Medical Sharps  Batteries  Radioactive Devices  Telephone books  Tires  Beverage containers  Packaging

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 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 the product. 6

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, What Does PSI Do?  Conduct research & frame issues/solutions  Subject matter experts  Conduct pilot projects – new models/replicate  Develop demonstrations in states  Evaluate projects/establish performance metrics  Information clearinghouse

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 What Does PSI Do? Facilitate/mediate stakeholder dialogues Create framework for partnerships – government – product manufacturers – retailers – trade associations – environmental groups 8

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Previous PSI Work on Gas Cylinders Refillable and Non-Refillable Cylinders 2003: SEMASS (MA MSW combustion facility) 2003: FL Dept. of Environmental Protection Research + 43 interviews National Propane Summit (refillables) 2 Meetings in Florida (non-refillables) 9

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Previous PSI Work on Gas Cylinders Stakeholders included representatives from tank manufacturers, tank refurbishers & exchange operations, retailers, state and local government, industry associations, and others. Limited time and resources. 10

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Previous PSI Work on Gas Cylinders  Recommendations related to the safe management of refillable propane tanks.  Issues and potential strategies related to collection and management of non-refillable one- pound gas cylinders.  “Action Plan to Reduce Safety Risks, Environmental Impacts, and Costs Associated with Non-Refillable Gas Cylinders in the Waste Stream” 11

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Issues with Small Gas Cylinders Safety risks Environmental concerns (wasted resources ) Financial considerations

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Issues with Small Gas Cylinders Lack of understanding by municipal officials about safe management options for cylinders The lack, or vagueness, of regulatory guidance on how to manage cylinders often result in agencies not wanting to get involved in cylinder collection. Lack of consumer education (no instruction to recycle or where and how)

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Project Goals Reduce safety and environmental risks (safely evacuate and collect gas) Increase the recovery and recycling of used cylinders Reduce costs of managing cylinders

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Supporting Goals Enhance recycling infrastructure Increase awareness of safe, economical, and environmentally responsible, end-of-life management options for consumers, municipal officials, and other stakeholders 15

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Priority Strategies – Past Work Increase acceptance of cylinders by scrap metal recyclers by reducing or eliminating obstacles (e.g., safety concerns, needed equipment). Provide effective cylinder collection and handling guidance for municipal and county cylinder collection programs. Increase consumer education on proper handling and management of cylinders. 16

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Other Areas for Action – Past Work Develop sample language to include in municipal waste management contracts for cylinder management. Research sustainable financing options to fund cylinder recycling programs. Consider reuse of cylinders with gas remaining. Consider refilling of empty cylinders (vs. recycling). 17

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Agreements on Short-term Priority Strategies – Past Work Developed guidance for municipal and county collection programs – Stressed partnerships – Outlined case studies of good programs Produce video demonstrating the safe processing of cylinders. 18

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Agreements on Short-term Priority Strategies – Past Work Develop cylinder label language that directs consumers to their municipalities and Earth 911 website and toll- free hotline for proper recycling locations. Develop single educational source for consumers and municipal officials (e.g., Earth 911 website/hotline). Continue meeting to develop a comprehensive solution 19

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Expected Meeting Outcomes General agreement on issues posed by gas cylinder recycling and goals for gas cylinder recycling program. Agree on concept of pilot project to develop more information. Agree on goal of pilot project. Agree on structure /elements needed for effective pilot project. 20

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Expected Meeting Outcomes Brainstorm ideas for Worthington to consider in pilot project design – Where to collect cylinders – Pilot timeline – Pilot location(s) – Role for retailers – Options for consumer education – What collection system is most convenient for consumers – What data do we need to collect for pilot 21

© Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. October 8, 2009 Scott Cassel PSI Executive Director/Founder For More Information Contact… 22