Phone Book Product Stewardship Initiative June 28, 2007 Raleigh-Durham, NC.
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Phone Book Product Stewardship Initiative June 28, 2007 Raleigh-Durham, NC
Transcript of Phone Book Product Stewardship Initiative June 28, 2007 Raleigh-Durham, NC.
Phone Book Product Stewardship Initiative
June 28, 2007
Raleigh-Durham, NC
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Press Ground Rules Meeting information for “background”
only. No quotes from meeting. Seek interview if want to quote.
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Who is the Product Stewardship Institute?
National non-profit, Based in Boston, founded 2000 11 Board Members (7 state/4 local) 5 staff members, 12 contractors/consultants Membership
39 States 45 Local Agencies
Adjunct Council (Business, Env’l Groups/Org’s)
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PSI Full and Affiliate State Members
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PSI Local Members – North Carolina
Catawba County City of Greensboro Mecklenburg County Wake County Winston-Salem/Forsyth County
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PSI Adjunct Council
Two Branches:
Business Branch
Environmental/Organizational Branch
Enhances shared dialogue
Expands product stewardship network
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PSI Projects
Phone books
Mercury Thermostats
Fluorescent lamps
Paint
Electronics
Pharmaceuticals
Tires
Beverage containers
Motor oil
Gas Cylinders
Radioactive Devices
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PSI Mission
“The Product Stewardship Institute pursues initiatives to ensure that all those involved in the lifecycle of a product share responsibility for reducing its health and environmental impacts.
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PSI Role in Phone Book Dialogue
Research/technical competency Forum for stakeholder dialogue Facilitate/mediate agreements Design and implement pilot projects Clearinghouse for paint product
stewardship policies and programs
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PSI’s “Agenda” Promote product stewardship solutions Reduce product impacts Forge partnerships that share responsibility
Management Financing
Get results – not just discussion
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NOT PSI’s Agenda No preconceived strategies to reduce
product impacts Not advocating for one strategy over
another No preconceived notion on how to finance
strategies
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Meeting Objectives Agree on:
Meeting expectations Dialogue focus Issue statement Dialogue goals
Discuss road map
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Meeting Objectives Explore priority issues and strategies
Issue 1: Unwanted phone books Issue 2: Env’l impact of phone book production Issue 3: Recycling Issue 4: Alternatives to printed directories Issue 5: Sustainable financing
Determine next steps (what, who, how, when) Establish process for follow up (work groups?)
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Meeting Expectations Discuss Issues and Potential Strategies
Gain understanding Provide background and context What do we know? What are the data gaps? Any strategies that we should not pursue? Any strategies that seem more viable to pursue? No final decisions on strategies at this mtg
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Dialogue Focus
This project will focus on waste prevention and resource conservation.
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Phone Book Issue Statement
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Primary Dialogue Goal The primary goal of the project is to
reduce the tonnage of unwanted telephone books that are generated and distributed to households and businesses.
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Secondary Dialogue Goal The secondary goal is to increase
environmentally preferable practices related to phone book production and distribution.
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Phone Book Road Map
MEETING 2
MEETING 3 ???
MEETING 1
START
June 2007 October 2007 ??? ????
•Finalize Action Plan• Conduct research
• Ratify agreements• Pursue funding for strategies• Develop project work plans
Discuss Issues and Strategies
MEETING 4 ???
• Fill data gaps• Identify more strategies/refine
• Present research• Propose strategies • Decide priority strategies
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Possible Dialogue Outcomes Baseline data for evaluation Pilot projects with measurable results Model state programs (reduction) National standards (e.g., recycled content) Model state or federal legislation National sustainable financing system for
the management of phone books
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Possible Mechanisms for Agreements
Letter of agreement between those involved in pilot project
Memorandum of understanding between stakeholders stating intent to perform certain activities
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What do we want to avoid?
Avoid multiple state solutions Avoid unilateral state or federal regulation
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Product Stewardship Action Plan
Issue Statement Project Focus Project Goals Dialogue Process/Timeline Issues Potential Strategies
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Process for Developing Product Stewardship Action Plan
Draft Issue Statement and Goals appeared in Project Summary
Interviews with over 25 stakeholders Changes made after each interview Draft Action Plan NOT PSI’s Issues/Strategies
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Growing Interest in Issue Consumer Interest in Not Receiving Phone Books States with legislation requiring opt out: NC, NM, NY Local Legislation Prohibiting Distribution of Unsolicited
Material National Do Not Call Registry Do Not Junk Registry Campaign Catalogue Campaign Legislation Requiring Recycled Content in Phone Books
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Issue/Strategy Discussion Background technical information Clarify Issue and Strategies What are the data gaps? Any strategies that we should not pursue? Any strategies that seem more viable to pursue? Additional strategies Next steps – what, who, when
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Issue #1Unwanted Phone Books
Solution: Reduce the number of phone books delivered to customers that do not want them
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Issue #1Unwanted Phone Books
There is a lack of data regarding the quantity of books that are printed, distributed, collected, and recycled nationally In 2005, there were 660,000 tons of phone books
manufactured in the United States by approximately 250 directory publishers, of which 18.2 percent was recycled.
Estimated cost of $63 million per year (disposal and recycling)
Industry Usage Study
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Issue #1Unwanted Phone Books
Most residents and businesses lack a way to “opt out” of receiving phone books they do not want.
In most states, utility-affiliated phone book publishers are mandated to provide a directory (white pages listing) to every line subscriber.
Another factor limiting the usefulness of the books is their physical characteristics.
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Issue #1: StrategiesUnwanted Phone Books
Strategy #1: Develop baseline data via a joint research project among stakeholders
Strategy #2: Find ways to gauge customer demand accurately
Strategy #3: Overturn/revise laws mandating white pages distribution
Strategy #4: Increase the user-friendliness of printed directories
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Issue #1: StrategiesUnwanted Phone Books
Strategy #5: Allow recipients to “opt out” of receiving phone books
Strategy #6: Require recipients to “opt in” to receive phone books
Strategy #7: Reduce excess phone book redundancy
Strategy #8: Survey Directory Publishers Strategy #9: Conduct Public Opinion
Survey
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Issue #2: Environmental Impact of Phone Book Production
Solution: Encourage the telephone directory industry to continue to implement ways to “green” the process of manufacturing phone books
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Issue #2: Environmental Impact of Phone Book Production Strategy #1: Encourage or mandate a minimum
recycled paper content for both publishers and printers
Strategy #2: Phone book industry could require paper suppliers to follow sustainable forestry practices
Strategy #3: Develop study to determine the top priority actions that the phone book industry can take to further reduce environmental impacts
Strategy #4: Encourage phone book publishers to become carbon-neutral
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Issue #3: Recycling
Solution: Increase the recycling rate of phone books
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Issue #3: Recycling Strategy #1: Develop a baseline recycling
rate Strategy #2: Develop a plan to increase
the number and availability of local phone book recycling programs
Strategy #3: Educate consumers about recycling opportunities for phone books
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Issue #4: Alternatives to Printed Directories
Solution: Explore and promote alternatives to printed directories
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Issue #4: Alternatives to Printed Directories
Strategy #1: Enhance online (Internet-based) directories
Strategy #2: Free telephone 411 service Strategy #3: CD-ROM directories
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Issue #5: Sustainable Financing
Solution: Develop a sustainable financing system that covers the collection, transportation, and recycling costs of phone books
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Issue #5: Sustainable Financing
Strategy #1: Transfer phone book management costs from government agencies to phone book manufacturers or users
Strategy #2: Require phone book manufacturers to recycle
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Issue #5: Financing We need to first figure out what we want to
accomplish, and THEN we can figure out how to finance it.
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Financing Front-end payments
Advanced Recycling Fee (visible) Tires, lead acid batteries, motor oil Government or industry-managed fund
Cost internalization (invisible) Back-end fees Deposits Retail coupons/incentives
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Financing What are the 2 main things about financing
that you would like addressed in dialogue? Additional research/information you need
to be prepared to discuss financing at the Seattle meeting?
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Next Steps
Confirm next steps on each issue What are the data gaps? Any strategies that we should not pursue? Any strategies that seem more viable to pursue? Additional strategies Next steps (what, who, how, when) Set Workgroup?
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Next Steps Stakeholder assessment Outline draft agenda for Meeting #2 Schedule next meeting
October 15-19 Seattle WA – Host: King County Same format
