Think Globally, Act Locally Through Product Stewardship Councils

Tuesday, February 9th, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. - Product Stewardship

Bill Sheehan, Executive Director, Product Policy Institute

An international movement to improve product design by changing how recycling and waste disposal are financed is gaining momentum in North America. And it is being largely led by local governments currently burdened with managing products designed for disposal. Product Stewardship, also known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), is a government strategy to place the responsibility for end of life product management on the producer and consumers of a product and not the general taxpayer or local government. The Product Policy Institute helps start independent local government-led Councils to work towards statewide Framework Extended Producer Responsibility policies. Bill will describe how Product Policy Institute has helped start independent Councils in California, New York, Vermont and Texas and is working with communities and local governments in other states. He will focus on practical tools and approaches that can be used by local government people in any state