Russ Martin President , Global Product Stewardship Council

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Global Developments in Product Stewardship and their Implications for Australia. Russ Martin President , Global Product Stewardship Council. Zero Waste Summit 2012 Melbourne 22 October, 2012. Potential US Financial Benefit as of 2010. Product Total Financial BenefitAvg. Per Capita - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Russ Martin President , Global Product Stewardship Council

Slide 1

Russ Martin President, Global Product Stewardship CouncilZero Waste Summit 2012Melbourne22 October, 2012Global Developments in Product Stewardship and their Implications for AustraliaThank you. For those of you that might not be familiar with the Global Product Stewardship Council, we are a MEMBERSHIP-BASED organisation that serves as an online CLEARINGHOUSE of independent, objective information on product stewardshipWe do not advocate for or against particular approaches and the Council does not do consulting. Rather, we help stakeholders to understand- the objectives, strengths and weaknesses of various schemes based on independent, peer-reviewed analysis and sharing information on emerging initiatives through our network of product stewardship practitioners. We aim to assist the development of effective ps schemes internationally through facilitating discussions and the objective sharing of information. Including working closely with the Australian Government on the development of product stewardship in Australia and giving Senate testimony on the Product Stewardship Act.

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In the two years since we formed, - more than 30 members from 6 countriesCorporations such as Lion and Panasonic Encorp Pacific, who run recovery for electronics and beverage containers in BC as well as Stewardship Ontario, the Industry Funding Organization for recycling in OntarioGovernments at the Federal, State and Local Levels- Australian Government- some of the largest state governments in Australia [Zero Waste SA has joined recently so well be working more closely with Ian and his team]- and Canadian provincial governments Alberta and British Columbia

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Our Organisation members span the US, Canada, Australia and New ZealandIncluding 2 of the 3 largest local governments in Australia.Our NZ members include WasteMINZ The Product Stewardship Foundation Plasback as well as a number of companies that include New Zealand within their operations

3Potential US Financial Benefit as of 2010Product Total Financial BenefitAvg. Per CapitaElectronics $658 million $2.13Paint $609 million $1.97Medical sharps (home)$198 million $0.64Batteries (primary) $247 million $0.80Batteries (secondary) $ 74 million $0.24Fluorescent lamps (household)$ 87 million $0.28Thermostats (mercury)$ 46 million $0.15Pesticides$ 40 million $0.13Phone books $ 40 million $0.13Total Potential Financial Benefit for US = $2 billion/yr*Based on an estimated US population of 309,101,167 (U.S. Census Bureau, April 2010)** Values in US$

Source: Product Stewardship Institute

Before starting right in with e-waste, Ill provide some context.So what is ps and why is it important?PS means that if you put a product on the market, you bear some responsibility for minimising its social, economic and environmental impact. Consumers tend to pay most costs of managing waste products through their council rates, and these costs are rising significantly. However, if physical and financial responsibility for managing problematic items are borne by the supply chain, theres incentive to improve environmental performance, in particular.Our colleagues the Product Stewardship Institute in the US have estimated the potential financial benefit of producer responsibility in the US at $2 BILLION. These values represent current costs in the US to manage these products and they would represent benefits to public budgets if these products were managed through producer responsibility. We also see the costs on a per capita basis. There are two figures PSI used in describing the financial problem: (1) actual cost, which would be the direct financial savings to a local government of implementing an EPR program; and (2) service benefits, which is the value of the added benefits a municipality would receive if EPR were to take hold. For example, many LGs in the U.S. dry and dispose of latex paint because it is a lower priority than other HHW products. If they had the money, they would collect it. These two figures are combined in the slide to be the potential financial benefits of EPR in the U.S. on each product category shown. For example, to manage all leftover paint in the U.S. responsibly (e.g., collect and reuse, recycle, fuel blend, or dispose), it would cost local governments about $609 million per year.

4Resource Significance of WEEE* WRAP Modelling

Between now & 2020, 12MT of WEEE in the UK is ICT equipment, consumer electronics, display devices will contain 63 T of palladium & 17 T of Indium

At current market values, precious metals in WEEE worth: 1bn worth of silver 5bn worth of gold 1bn worth of palladium

Almost of all WEEE taken to UK recycling centres can be reused: worth more than 200m in gross revenue each year could make 100T of rare earths (~10% of UK demand) available again

WEEE = waste electrical and electronic equipmentThe programs and trends Ill discuss today are important not just because of policy drivers, but also because of their economic and resource significance.WRAP in the UK has done some detailed modelling that provides an indication of the resource value of e-waste, orW_E_E_E_Between now & 2020, 12MT of WEEE will be generated in the UK of this will be ICT equipment, consumer electronics and display devices that would contain63 T of palladium & 17 T of IndiumAt current market values, the precious metals in WEEE through 2020 will be worth: 1bn worth of silver 5bn worth of gold 1bn worth of palladium These are currently only recovered sporadically, but their market value is increasing so their recovery value could increase as well. Value isnt just in recycling, but also in reuse. Almost of all WEEE taken to UK recycling centres can be reused: worth more than 200m in gross revenue each year could make 100T of rare earths (~10% of UK demand) available again

[do current currency conversions to help provide context]5Resource Significance of WEEE Mobile Phones

For every tonne of components recovered, 10 tonnes of greenhouse gases are avoided

Recycling 50,000 handsets avoids the need to mine: 110 tonnes of gold ore 213 tonnes of silver-bearing ore 11 tonnes of copper sulphide ore

Source: MobileMusterMobileMuster figures - for every tonne of mobile phone components recovered 10 tonnes of GHGs are avoided

Recycling 50,000 handsets can remove the need to mine:110 tonnes gold ore, 213 tonnes of silver bearing ore or 11 tonnes of copper sulphide ore.

[Re: Australia - you could also mention MobileMuster - rather than just presenting the TV and computer regulation - i.e. e-waste managed in regulatory and non regulatory environment - this applies elsewhere in the world - commerically based mobile phone recycle/resale programs Would be good to keep the talk around e-waste and strip out the other products]

6Low Recycling Rates of Certain MetalsUnited Nations Environment Programme report: recycling rates of metals are in many cases far lower than their potential for reuse less than one-third of 60 metals studied have an EOL recycling rate above 50% 34 elements are below 1% recycling: Lithium batteries (hybrids & electric vehicles) Gallium, Germanium, Indium, Tellurium solar rare earth metals catalysts, batteries, permanent magnets for electric drives, wind turbines, phosphors for smart phones, iPads, TVs, computers, energy efficient light globes, etc.

http://www.unep.org/resourcepanel/Publications/Recyclingratesofmetals/tabid/56073/Default.aspx

One issue that could have a tremendous impact on PS in the years to come is the low recycling rates of certain metals. We all understand the significant influence of multinationals and their influence on not only supply chains, but on policies and resources. How do you think companies such as Apple, Samsung or Toshiba will respond to issues that threaten their life blood? Similarly, how can we build greener economies when we cant manufacture even iconic products, such as wind turbines and batteries for hybrid vehicles?UNEP Report - recycling rates of metals are in many cases far lower than their potential for reuse. Less than one-third of 60 metals studied have an end-of-life recycling rate above 50 per cent 34 elements are below 1% recycling, yet many of them are crucial to clean technologies , from solar cells to batteries for hybrid vehicles to the magnets in wind turbinesRare earths - 17 metal oxides - all highly prized and priced accordinglyKEY to producing smart phones, iPads, TVs, computers, energy efficient light globes

[Reuters link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/44203960]

7Low Recycling Rates of Certain MetalsPotential consequences: scarcity of key resources availability and cost direct impacts on sustainability inhibition of Green Economy development need for greater urban mining of resources largest recycling park in China 1MT copper/yr largest copper mine in China less than half that recycling rates for platinum - 80-90% for industrial apps, 0-5% for electronicsProduct stewardship as a risk management and geopolitical strategyhttp://www.unep.org/resourcepanel/Publications/Recyclingratesofmetals/tabid/56073/Default.aspx

The US military is now waking up to the fact that rare earth magnets provide:- the guidance for their weapons systems on tanks, The tail fins on smart rockets and bombs, and other uses. All of the rare earths for these items come from China. Back in 1992, Deng Xiaoping stated"Rare earths will be to China what oil was to the Middle East." In 2010, China suddenly slashed its exports of rare earths by 72%, boosted export prices and bolstered its suppliesIndustry estimates are that rare earth mining in Australia will require a $700M - $1 Billion investment. The most interested investors? ChinaThe US has admitted that they dont understand the potential strategic impacts. Expect some significant changes to the commercial and political drivers for product stewardship in the months and years to come.PS, especially for WEEE, represents a risk management and geopolitical strategy that cuts across supply chainsAnd Minimises risks by increasing these recycling rates

8US EPR Laws as of October 2012Source: Product Stewardship Institute

Now lets look at various product stewardship & E_P_R_ programs.For each, Ill touch on overviews to help put PS for electronics in context within that region.Lets start with the US, where there is a myriad of EPR laws addressing a broad range of productsIts important to note that these laws shown represent EPR legislation currently in place and do not represent voluntary PS initiatives in place or underwaySuch as Call2Recycle, one of our corporate members with over 30,000 collection points for batteries and mobile phones in North AmericaThe laws shown also do not represent deposit programs for beverage containers9US EPR Laws as of October 2012Source: Product Stewardship Institute

ProductNo. of lawsStates with EPR laws Electronics24*CT, HI, IL, IN, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI Auto Switches15AR, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, NJ, NC, RI, SC, UT, VA, VTThermostats (Hg)10CA, CT, IA, IL, ME, MT, NH, PA, RI, VTBatteries9CA, FL, IA, ME, MD, MN, NJ, NY, VTPaint4CA, CT, OR, RIFluorescent Lamps3ME, VT, WACarpet1CAPesticide Containers1CAFramework1ME* CA was the first state to pass an electronics law, but it is based on an advance recycling fee. Recently there has been a flurry of state laws to introduce EPR in the USWhile fairly diverse, these laws have generally focused on potentially toxic or hazardous productsor those whose costs to manage and recover are high due to their nature This approach is consistent with the original rationales for introducing EPRObviously, electronics have been an important targetThe problem is that the US programs are highly variable, so essentially Half the US states have EPR for electronics in some form, half do notThose that do have EPR for WEEE are almost all different. This patchwork means greater compliance costs for producers and its hard to adopt consistent programs across borders. Other products show some comparable variability but not on quite the same scale as for electronics10

Canadian EPR and Product Stewardship Programs August 2012Source: Encorp Pacific (Canada)

Here we see the variety of product stewardship and EPR schemes operating in Canada as of AugustAs you can see, there is a myriad of programs already in place or proposed across a wide range of products Despite some of the variety you see here, were starting to see greater consistency applied across several provincesAs industry groups seek opportunities to have greater consistency across jurisdictions in order to reduce costsFor example, last year we toured Atlantic Coast Electronics Stewardship, ACES, depots and processing facilitiestheyre trying to consolidate and standardise contractual arrangements, collection processes and recovery processes11The ECs Three-tier Policy StructureFramework legislation The Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) (the WFD) The Waste Shipment Regulation (EC) no. 1013/2006

Waste treatment legislation The Landfill Directive (1999/71/EC) The Waste Incineration Directive (2000/76/EC) Future recycling standards, to be based on the WFD

Producer responsibility legislation The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC) The End of Life Vehicles Directive (2000/53/EC) The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/96/EC) The Batteries and Accumulators Directive (2006/66/EC)

[revise for electronics and conflicts with the WFD]

12AWRE, Sydney 10 November, 2011EU WEEE Directive RecastNew collection targets - 85% of WEEE generated ~10 million tons (~20 kg per capita) to be separately collected from 2019 onwards. Existing EU collection target is 4 kg of WEEE per capita

Greater ability for EU Member States to fight illegal waste exports

Harmonisation of registration and reporting requirements

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/index_en.htm

The recast of the WEEE Directive has ended with the publication of the new Directive. Important process steps were:The new WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU has been published in issue L197 of the Official Journal on 24 July 2012. The Council has on 7 June adopted the new Directive. The next step is now publication in the Official Journal, which is expected to take place this summer. The Commission has adopted a Communication on the second reading. It is available here as COM(2012)139. The European Parliament adopted a compromise text in its second reading legislative resolution of 19 January 2012. The Commission has adopted a Communication on the first reading. It is available here. The Council adopted the Common Position on 19 July 2011. It is available here. The European Parliament voted in first reading on 3 February 2011. More information. The new collection targets agreed, an ambitious 85% of WEEE generated, will ensure that around 10 million tons, or roughly 20kg per capita, will be separately collected from 2019 onwards. The existing binding EU collection target is 4 kg of WEEE per capita, representing about 2 million tons per year, out of around 10 million tonnes of WEEE generated per year in the EU. By 2020, it is estimated that the volume of WEEE will increase to 12 million tons. The new WEEE Directive will give EU Member States the tools to fight illegal export of waste more effectively. Illegal shipments of WEEE disguised as legal shipments of used equipment, in order to circumvent EU waste treatment rules, are a serious problem. The new Directive will force exporters to test and provide documents on the nature of their shipments when the shipments run the risk of being waste.A further improvement is the harmonisation of national registration and reporting requirements under the Directive. Member States' registers for producers of electrical and electronic equipment will now have to be integrated more closely. The Commission will adopt a harmonised format to be used for the supply of information. Administrative burdens are consequently expected to decrease significantly.Documents from the start of the recast process:Press release on the proposed revised WEEE and RoHS directive (Dec 2008) Proposal for a revised directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (Dec 2008) Impact assessment on the proposed directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (Dec 2008) Summary of the impact assessment on WEEE (Dec 2008) Questions and answers on the WEEE proposal (Dec 2008)

13AWRE, Sydney 10 November, 2011Representative Asian ProgramsChina WEEE

Japan Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources Law for the Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

Economic responsibility usually rests with manufacturersPhysical responsibility is usually less clear

Source: Perchards, www.perchards.com Here are some of the most prominent Asian product stewardship & EPR programs, Which tend to focus on WEEE items

[From RV: 11-Apr-11 AmericasRELAC guidance released RELAC (Regional Platform for Electronic Waste in Latin America and the Caribbean) recently released Guidelines for the management of WEEE in Latin America, a roadmap for managing WEEE in the region.]

[EIA Track 05/09: The Latin American Region has witnessed an explosion of productstewardship initiatives for electrical and electronic equipment, spurred inpart by international legal trends, serious urban waste managementchallenges, a growing local environmental awareness, and the rise ininfluence of local and international NGOs.]

http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Spot/pdf/30/007.pdf

14AWRE, Sydney 10 November, 2011British Columbia All WEEE subject to EPR

Electronics and Electrical Category designated for EPR under the BC Recycling Regulation was expanded in 2009 requires producers to collect & recycle the products they make & sell

As of July 1, 2012, BCs EPR recycling addresses the largest variety of WEEE of any jurisdiction in North America.

If it comes with a battery or a plug, BC now recycles it.

One trend were already seeing and believe will continue to expand is the integrated collection of a broad range of electronics. Perhaps the best example of this is the province of British Columbia, Canada.The BC Recycling Regulation shifts taxpayer funded responsibility for managing end-of-life products and packaging to producers and consumers through EPR.In 2009, the Electronics and Electrical Category under the Recycling Regulation was expanded to effectively include all items with a battery or plug. These changes have taken effect as of July 1, 2012, and mean thatIf it comes with a battery or a plug, BC now recycles it.The BC approach to EPR enjoys strong industry support because monitoring and reporting frameworks are developed collaboratively, But then industry is given a great deal of flexibility to achieve the agreed outcomes.

15EPR for Packaging and Printed Paper in British Columbia

Packaging and Printed Paper designated for EPR under the BC Recycling Regulation requires producers to collect & recycle the products they make & sell

Important dates: May 2011: Packaging and Printed Paper added to Recycling Regulation October 2011: MOE-led public meetings Spring 2012: Producer-led consultations November 2012: Stewardship plan submission (led by Multi-Material British Columbia) May 2014: Stewardship program implementation

Details and presentations available at http://www.globalpsc.net/blog/video-now-available-epr-in-british-columbia-for-packaging-and-printed-paper/

There is EPR legislation for packaging in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba

However, the best potential for a balanced system lies with British Columbia, So Ill focus on that

The BC approach enjoys strong industry support because monitoring and reporting frameworks are developed collaboratively, But then industry is given a great deal of flexibility to achieve the agreed outcomes

The plan to implement the stewardship program is currently under development by Multi-Materials BC 16Canada-Wide Strategy for Sustainable Packaging EPR Action Plan & Packaging Strategy adopted October 2009 coordinated provincial and federal initiative through Canadian Council on Ministers of Environment

Action Plan commits all jurisdictions to work towards having EPR legislation & systems for packaging etc within 6 years EPR requirements should encourage take-back initiatives, with or without deposits territories will consider whether alternative measures are more appropriate

Builds on Action Plan for EPR by outlining a harmonised approach to EPR requirements for packaging (household, C&I and service packaging)

The CCME adopted the strategy to help get harmonisation across the provinces

The strategy is also intended to get EPR in place for packaging and printed paper Canada-wide.

So, why is there a need for more of an integrated approach in Canada?

The provinces have adopted a range of approaches for packaging product stewardship, from fully voluntary programs to full EPR.

17Product Stewardship in New Zealand Accreditation by Minister for Environment

PlasbackTM- used farm plastics

Agrecovery Rural Recycling Programme agrichemical plastic containers, silage wrap, crop protection net and agrichemicals

Glass Packaging Scheme

Refrigerants Recovery

PaintWise

Holcim Geocycle - used oil

ROSE NZ used oil

http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/waste/product-stewardship/accredited-schemes-in-nz.html

New Zealand has also opted for more of a voluntary approach and collaboration with affected industries. New Zealands Waste Minimisation Act of 2008 provides a framework for regulation of products, materials and priority products on a case-by-case basis if needed. New Zealand has yet to declare any priority products.

Accreditation is government recognition from the Ministry for the Environment.

A product stewardship scheme will only be accredited after it has been thoroughly assessed to ensure reductions in environmental harm have been met and that the program is working effectively.

Interesting approach implementation for at least a year is necessary prior to accreditation. They have to demonstrate real world practicality before they can receive accreditation.

Used oil was the first accredited program and a variety of other products have followed suit, including paint, which was just recently accredited.

We dont have the time to go into detail on these programs but details are available on the environment Ministrys website. 18Voluntary Product Stewardship - AustraliaChemClear - crop protection and animal health chemicals www.chemclear.com.au

Publishers National Environment Bureau - newsprint www.pneb.com.au

FluoroCycle - mercury-containing lamps www.fluorocycle.org.au

drumMuster - used chemical containers www.drummuster.com.au

MobileMuster - mobile phones www.mobilemuster.com.au

A variety of voluntary programs were initiated by industry in australia and have delivered substantive result over the years.

These programs include mercury-containing lamps, newsprint, mobile phones, agricultural and veterinary chemicals and chemical containers

Theres not really time to go into the results of these, but youll have access to these slides and can get the URLs here

Almost all these voluntary programs are all members of the Global Product Stewardship Council so I can also help you get additional information

Weve summarised them all except FluoroCycle in the Issues Paper from the International Product Stewardship Summit available on our website

[Karen Gomez, CEO of AgStewardship Australia, is also here and she can answer your questions about drumMuster and ChemClear]

19Australias Product Stewardship Act 2011

Framework

Criteria for prioritisation:National markets

Hazardous substances

Business opportunities

Consumer willingness to pay

Significant costs associated with end-of-life management

Material conservation and resource recovery, and associated benefits such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions

$147 million net savings

Australias National Waste Policy has been endorsed by all Australian governments.Developing nationally consistent product stewardship schemes was a primary driver for the policy.The PS Act took effect last year as a framework for determining and prioritising products to be targeted for PSThere is an estimated $147 Million in savings from having nationally consistent PS approaches across Australia

20WasteMINZ, Rotorua October 2011 Australias TV & Computer Recycling SchemeLiable parties

Co-regulatory arrangements approved by the Minister (or delegate) achieve outcomes, specified in the Regulations, on behalf of liable parties

Reasonable access to collections by December 2013

Annual recycling targets 30% in 2012-13 rising to 80% in 2021-22

Material recovery target takes effect FY2014-15 90% of the weight of material recycled in a financial year is sent for further processing into useable materials

The first cab off the rank under the Act is the National Television and Computer Recycling SchemeThe objectives of the Scheme are to:reduce the amount of television and computer waste (particularly hazardous waste materials) for disposal to landfill;increase recovery of resources from end-of-life television and computer products in a safe, scientific and environmentally sound manner;ensure national coverage; andprovide for fair and equitable industry participation in the Scheme.The Act requires that all liable parties of covered products over a given threshold must join an co-regulatory arrangement approved by the MinisterThe liable parties are importers and Australian manufacturers of covered products over a given threshold covered by the Regulations. A co-regulatory arrangement under the Scheme is designed to achieve outcomes, specified in the Regulations, on behalf of liable parties. The outcomes include:providing reasonable access to collection services across Australia by December 2013, meeting annual recycling targets that rise to 80% in 2021-22and meeting a material recovery target of 90%, starting FY2014-15

21Sustainability Victoria Efforts on Batteries and Paint

Closer to home, the Global Product Stewardship Council is facilitating new efforts from Sustainability Victoria to help engage a broad range of stakeholders in implementing product stewardship programs for batteries, with an eye towards ultimately having them become national co-regulatory programs. Weve had our first stakeholder meeting on batteries Weve developed an action plan for progressing the project and have hadVarious discussions with the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative. This discussion may ultimately include New Zealand as well. Well be starting soon on paint22Trends to Consider

Expanded range of products within electronics e.g., in British Columbia beyond electronics Consolidated collections simplified education potential economies of scale

Collaborative multi-stakeholder approaches greater engagement of local governments Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE), a Basel Convention partnership with industry, NGOs and other stakeholders Sustainability Victoria efforts on batteries and paint

Collections for recycling will be changing Expanded range of products potential for consolidated collectionsThe inclusion of all WEEE deserves significant attention. This isnt just about TVs and computers. As weve seen with the WEEE Directive, volume drives investment and not the other way around. Collaborative multi-stakeholder approachese.g., greater engagement of local governments as part of tailoring local solutions and building on existing infrastructure and systemsPartnership for Action on Computing Equipment, a Basel Convention partnership with industry, NGOs and other stakeholders PACEs objective is to increase environmentally sound management of used and end-of life computing equipment, taking into account social responsibility,the concept of sustainable development and promoting information sharing on life cycle thinking.Closer to home, the Global Product Stewardship Council is facilitating new efforts with Sustainability Victoria23Importance of Responsible Recycling

Legal prosecution

Health and safety of workers and general public

Environmental damage from spills or accidents

Arrangements could lose approvals

Reputational damage

Id now like to wrap up by discussing responsible recycling and Principles that would apply regardless of the range of e-waste collected and the collection systems used. All stakeholders involved would have a range of reasons for ensuring that responsible recycling is occurring for reasons such as: Legal prosecution Health and safety of workers and general public Environmental damage from spills or accidents Arrangements losing their approvals to recover products on behalf of manufacturers Reputational damage for everyone involved

24Importance of Responsible Recycling - 2

In particular, the brand owners that fund the PSOs need to ensure that their products dont end up being handled like this in places such as Ghana.

They are paying in part to avoid the impacts of irresponsible practices.

They pay to be able to say, hand on heart, This is appalling, but we can guarantee that our products arent in there. 25International Product Stewardship Summit: Some Relevant FindingsProduct stewardship has moved beyond traditional end-of-life emphasis to encompass broader sustainability.Industry leaders will accept the full costs of product stewardship, provided they are paying the right costs. The caveat: businesses want greater program control and the flexibility to reduce costs.

Issues Paper available at http://www.globalpsc.net/international-product-stewardship-summit-issues-paper/

[IPSS Background]

Product stewardship / EPR increasingly important to electronics / packaging sustainability and increasingly expected across supply chains

Multi-national companies that address these requirements strategically will continue to expect their suppliers to assist in providing effective (and cost-effective) responses.

With increased physical and financial responsibility being assumed, there will be an expectation for greater program control and flexibility

26Lessons Wide variety of models are available for Australia to consider

Regulatory threats and fees have been used heavily in Europe but have delivered results

North America - more voluntary & co-regulatory approaches

Need national consistency with flexibility to adapt over time

It is almost irrelevant whether a product stewardship program is voluntary, co-regulatory or regulatory, as long as: Ongoing consumer education Convenient access to collection facilities Verifiable performance reporting Producer responsibility for operating and financing Minimising free riders

A few of the lessons:

Regulatory threats and fees have been used heavily in Europe but have delivered results in terms of recovery rates

these are the best performersOthers havent done as well despite the regulations.

Many have also been quite expensive.

Each has its strengths, but Other approaches might be more appropriate for Australia

It is almost irrelevant whether a product stewardship program is voluntary, co-regulatory or regulatory, as long as a few key conditions are met: Ongoing consumer education Convenient access to collection facilities Verifiable performance reporting Producer responsibility for operating and financing Minimising free riders

Having national consistency and harmonisation is critical.

Free-riders can undermine industry support and implementation

Regulation may be necessary unless free-riders are effectively addressed through voluntary or co-regulatory approaches

Call2Recycle promotes the adoption of EPR legislation in Canada, where provincial law and the lack of harmonization have been very problematic.

They also believe that at some point, some US states will also enact legislation.

The primary battery industry will probably want such legislation, at least in a few states, to provide the backbone to engage the free-riders in the system.

But theyre not actively advocating EPR in the US.

Convenient collection efforts that are free to consumers- At a variety of locations, including retailers

Consumer education

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