Status of
Product Stewardship
May 30, 2007
PSI Annual Forum
The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived
(Malcom Gladwell)
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Global warming  Foot in the Door
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Products are “popping”
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“Product Stewardship”  39 states, 43 locals
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
2
PSI Full and Affiliate State Members
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
3
The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived
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Retailer Engagement
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Staples nation-wide take back of computers
Ace and TruValue take back fluorescent lamps
Wal-Mart supply chain directives
Retailer lead in electronics legislation
Lowe’s and Home Depot – paint, thermostats
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
4
The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived
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Paint Industry Resolution
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No latex collected  will collect most latex
No Canadian eco-fee  Canadian-type eco-fee
Developing 2nd MOU
MN Demonstration Project – July 2007
 National roll-out starting January 2009
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May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
5
The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived
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Electronics
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5th state law (MN)
6-8 strong legislative initiatives
EIA consensus proposal
Renewed/expanded Congressional focus
Staples national computer take back
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
6
The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived
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Fluorescent Lamps
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Latent issue: sale and collection/recycling
Wal-Mart commitment to sell massive
quantities of CFLs
National/Int’l movement to replace
incandescents with CFLs
“Don’t forget the mercury!”
CFLs sheds light on all fluorescents
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
7
The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived
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Phone Books
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“What gets you mad?”
2 state opt-out bills (NC, NM)
“No Problem”  “Let’s Talk”
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
8
The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived
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Mercury Thermostats
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Collection at HHW facilities – national roll-out
Model state thermostat legislation
Sales Ban
 Collection/Recycling
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8 states (?) with comprehensive legislation
Industry model bill
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
9
Product stewardship is about allowing
companies to be environmental leaders,
and about recognizing that company
officials can be environmental heroes.
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
10
Environmentalist  government  industry
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
11
Best solutions come through collaboration
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
12
Precautions
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Not posture, but true action
Not stalling, but testing/seeking
Not delay/fear, but calculated judgment and
best knowledge
May 30, 2007
Status of Product Stewardship
13