Phone Book Product Stewardship Initiative October 18, 2007 Seattle WA

Phone Book Product Stewardship Initiative

October 18, 2007

Seattle WA

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 2

Who is the Product Stewardship Institute?

National non-profit, Based in Boston, founded 2000 11 Board Members (7 state/4 local) 4 staff members, 12 contractors/consultants Membership

42 States 46 Local Agencies

Adjunct Council (Business, Env’l Groups/Org’s)


PSI Full and Affiliate State Members


PSI Local Members – Washington

City of Seattle King County Solid Waste Division King County Hazardous Waste Management Regional Program Snohomish County

WA Department of Ecology – founding PSI Board Member


PSI Adjunct Council

Two Branches:

Business Branch

Environmental/Organizational Branch

Enhances shared dialogue

Expands product stewardship network


PSI Projects

Phone books

Mercury Thermostats

Fluorescent lamps

Paint

Electronics

Pharmaceuticals

Tires

Beverage containers

Motor oil

Gas Cylinders

Radioactive Devices


1st Meeting Summary General agreement on:

Meeting expectations Dialogue focus Issue statement Dialogue goals

Discussed road map


Dialogue Focus

This project will focus on waste prevention and resource conservation.


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.


Secondary Dialogue Goal The secondary goal is to increase

environmentally preferable practices related to phone book production and distribution.


1st Meeting Summary Explored 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


1st Meeting Summary Loose consensus on priority issues/strategies Issue 1: Unwanted phone books

Baseline recycling and solid waste disposal cost data Measurement of phone book recipient demand and

public opinions on distribution. Discussion of opt-out and redundancy issues and

options. Survey of directory publishers on methods to reduce

phone book distribution.


1st Meeting Summary Issue 3: Recycling

Development of a baseline recycling rate. Increasing phone book recovery programs and

infrastructure. Education of consumers on recycling options.

Issue 5: Sustainable financing (not discussed)


Post-Meeting Focus Issue 1: Unwanted phone books

Discussion of opt-out and redundancy issues and options.

Issue 3: Recycling Increasing phone book recovery programs and

infrastructure. Education of consumers on recycling options.

Issue 5: Sustainable financing (not discussed)


1st Meeting Follow-up/Status YPA and ADP to conduct and report on survey

of members on their environmental activities. YPA and ADP to provide data on the economic

benefits generated by the phone book industry. Identification of end-use markets for scrap

phone books for possible market directory (Scott Mouw, Amy Healy, and Michelle Kinchloe)


1st Meeting Follow-up/Status Address open questions (not assigned)

1. Distinction between FSC and SFI certification systems. (Issue #2)

2. Reasons why some communities recycle phone books and others do not. (Issue #3)

3. Survey of whether the largest curbside programs collect phone books. (Issue #3)

4. Variations in recycling and disposal costs around the country. (Issue #3)


1st 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


2nd Meeting Expectations Opt-out??? Recycling??? Outline of an agreement??? (Memorandum of

Understanding?) Steps to take to get to signed agreement???

No final decisions General consensus on priorities to pursue General consensus on next steps


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/initiatives• Decide priority strategies • Begin to develop agreement


Possible Dialogue Outcomes Key elements of an opt out and timeframe for

implementation. Pilot opt out and/or recycling projects with

measurable results. Baseline recycling rate (and methodology). Study to determine potential for recycled content

use and recommendations on setting goals. Industry pledge program on env’l initiatives.


Possible Dialogue Outcomes Develop “best recycling practices”? Study to determine extent of phone book

recycling in the U.S., barriers, and solutions. Develop recycling outreach plan to be

implemented by gov’t and publishers? Develop end-use market directory for scrap

phone books.


Possible Mechanisms for Agreements

Letter of agreement between those involved in pilot project.

Memorandum of understanding between stakeholders stating intent to perform certain activities.


Opt Out – Potential Parameters All citizens allowed opportunity (e.g., all

companies have program) Effective education/outreach (e.g., citizens

know the service exists and what to do) Easy consumer use (telephone number to

call, tracks changes in residence) Demonstrated results (e.g., no need to opt

out again)


Opt Out – Next Steps Is there a need to formally agree on what an opt

out should include? Do we want to conduct a joint pilot project

(design, implement, evaluate)? How will we know that all companies have an opt

out option and that it is easy to use and effective – need for “oversight” or annual review/report?

When should companies have opt outs in place? Do we want to track the number of people who

will use an opt out?


Opt Out – Next Steps What are the roles of YPA and ADP in

encouraging member companies to adopt opt out procedures that are agreed to by this dialogue group?


Issue #1Unwanted Phone Books

Solution: Reduce the number of phone books delivered to customers that do not want them



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



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.


Issue #1: StrategiesUnwanted Phone Books

Strategy #1: Develop baseline data via a joint research project among stakeholders

Strategy #2: Find ways to gauge recipient demand accurately

Strategy #3: Overturn/revise laws mandating white pages distribution

Strategy #4: Increase the user-friendliness of printed directories


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


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


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


Issue #3: Recycling

Solution: Increase the recycling rate of phone books


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


Issue #4: Alternatives to Printed Directories

Solution: Explore and promote alternatives to printed directories


Issue #4: Alternatives to Printed Directories

Strategy #1: Enhance online (Internet-based) directories

Strategy #2: Free telephone 411 service Strategy #3: CD-ROM directories


Issue #5: Sustainable Financing

Solution: Develop a sustainable financing system that covers the collection, transportation, and recycling costs of phone books


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


Issue #5: Financing We need to first figure out what we want to

accomplish, and THEN we can figure out how to finance it.


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


Financing What are the 2 main things about financing

that you would like addressed in dialogue? Additional research/information you need

about financing?


Next Steps Do we want/need a 3rd meeting? Outline draft agenda for Meeting #3 (if

held) Stakeholder assessment Schedule next meeting: Date and location

Documents

Phone Book Product Stewardship Initiative October 18, 2007 Seattle WA