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 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)

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 3 PSI Full and Affiliate State Members

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 4 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 5 PSI Adjunct Council Two Branches: Business Branch Environmental/Organizational Branch Enhances shared dialogue Expands product stewardship network

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 6 PSI Projects  Phone books  Mercury Thermostats  Fluorescent lamps  Paint  Electronics  Pharmaceuticals  Tires  Beverage containers  Motor oil  Gas Cylinders  Radioactive Devices

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 7 1 st Meeting Summary General agreement on: Meeting expectations Dialogue focus Issue statement Dialogue goals Discussed road map

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 8 Dialogue Focus This project will focus on waste prevention and resource conservation.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 9 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.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 10 Secondary Dialogue Goal The secondary goal is to increase environmentally preferable practices related to phone book production and distribution.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 11 1 st 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 12 1 st 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.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 13 1 st 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)

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 14 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)

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 15 1 st 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)

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 16 1 st 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)

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 17 1 st 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 18 2 nd 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 19 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 20 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.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 21 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.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 22 Possible Mechanisms for Agreements Letter of agreement between those involved in pilot project. Memorandum of understanding between stakeholders stating intent to perform certain activities.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 23 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)

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 24 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?

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 25 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?

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 26 Issue #1 Unwanted Phone Books Solution: Reduce the number of phone books delivered to customers that do not want them

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 27 Issue #1 Unwanted Phone Books 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 28 Issue #1 Unwanted Phone Books 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.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 29 Issue #1: Strategies Unwanted 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 30 Issue #1: Strategies Unwanted 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 31 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 32 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 33 Issue #3: Recycling Solution: Increase the recycling rate of phone books

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 34 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 35 Issue #4: Alternatives to Printed Directories Solution: Explore and promote alternatives to printed directories

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 36 Issue #4: Alternatives to Printed Directories Strategy #1: Enhance online (Internet- based) directories Strategy #2: Free telephone 411 service Strategy #3: CD-ROM directories

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 37 Issue #5: Sustainable Financing Solution: Develop a sustainable financing system that covers the collection, transportation, and recycling costs of phone books

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 38 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 39 Issue #5: Financing We need to first figure out what we want to accomplish, and THEN we can figure out how to finance it.

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 40 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

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 41 Financing What are the 2 main things about financing that you would like addressed in dialogue? Additional research/information you need about financing?

October 18, 2007 PSI Phone Book Stewardship Project 42 Next Steps Do we want/need a 3 rd meeting? Outline draft agenda for Meeting #3 (if held) Stakeholder assessment Schedule next meeting: Date and location