Arlington, VA, March 5, 2010 – The Reusable Packaging Association’s (RPA) Board of
Directors has adopted an official policy supporting Product Stewardship and Extended Producer Responsibility, it was announced today.
“The RPA is embracing this important issue because our goal is to promote the value and
expansion of reusable materials as preferred packaging solutions across supply chains, private or public,” said Tim Debus, Chairman of RPA’s Industry Development Committee and Director, New Business Development, IFCO Reusable Plastic Container (RPC) Management Services. “RPA’s support of these principles is consistent with our organization’s mission and goals, and we believe the RPA can play an important role in developing an appropriate and responsible approach to product stewardship as it relates to transport packaging.”
Product stewardship, as defined by the U.S. EPA, is a product-centered approach to
environmental protection. Also known as extended producer responsibility (EPR), “product
stewardship calls on those in the product life cycle – manufacturers, retailers, users, and disposers – to share responsibility for reducing the environmental impacts of products.”
(http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/stewardship/basic.htm) The primary role and
responsibility is placed with the producer to make development and marketing decisions
focusing on efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of their product.
In support of the EPA’s efforts, the Product Stewardship Institute and many state and local
jurisdictions have worked together to establish the following five Framework Principles for
Product Stewardship:
(1) producer responsibility;
(2) shared responsibilities with retail, government and consumer participants;
(3) governance of activities;
(4) financing of programs, and
(5) environmental considerations.
“We support these principles because they are a first step in establishing a common public
policy, or framework, to discuss and debate the best ways to handle the resources used for
moving products in commerce. We think this shared common goal can benefit manufacturers of packaging products, the consumers who benefit from the packaged products, and government entities that must manage the waste that is generated,” said Jon Kalin, RPA Chairman of the Board; Sales and Marketing Manager for Rehrig Pacific. “However, the RPA will review emerging federal, state and local laws on a case-by-case basis before lending our support to any one.”
About the RPA
The Reusable Packaging Association is collaborative effort between manufacturers, poolers, distributors, retailers and educators to promote the environmental, safety, and economic benefits of reusable packaging. The RPA serves as the collective voice of industry and uses its knowledge of the members’ products and services to advance the adoption of reusable packaging and systems throughout the supply chain. The RPA is focused on promoting the expansion of reusables as the preferred packaging solution across supply chains in all industries.
For more information, visit www.choosereusables.org or call (703) 224-8284.
Media contact: Jerry Welcome
1100 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 1010
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-224-8284 Fax: 703-243-5612
Email: info@reusables.org
Web Site: www.choosereusables.org