Product Stewardship in Action: The Business Case for Lifecycle Thinking
Thursday, April 27, 2017 (2:30 pm - 3:30 pm EST)

Many state and local governments in the U.S., and countries around the world, have pursued a product stewardship approach to managing waste in an effort to reduce environmental impacts, create jobs, and save money for governments and taxpayers. This approach also places responsibility on manufacturers for managing the products they create. Helen Lewis’s new book, Product Stewardship in Action: The Business Case for Lifecycle Thinking, examines the range of benefits that businesses can achieve through product stewardship programs, particularly if they are developed strategically and in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. 

In this webinar, Helen will provide the business case for product stewardship worldwide, discussing how industry can take advantage of a lifecycle approach to product manufacturing and truly benefit from the circular economy. Three North American business leaders will then offer case studies describing how they are managing various post-consumer products, and how these systems benefit consumers, government, and industry alike. This webinar will include a facilitated panel discussion and active audience participation. 

Pricing: $60

This webinar ticket also comes with a copy of Helen Lewis' book, "Product Stewardship in Action: The Business Case for Lifecycle Thinking." 

Speakers:

Helen Lewis

Principal, Helen Lewis Research

Author, Product Stewardship in Action: The Business Case for Lifecycle Thinking

Helen provides research and strategic support to a range of industry and government clients on product stewardship and packaging sustainability. Most recently this has included a part-time role as chief executive of the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative and the development of a new sustainability framework for signatories to the Australian Packaging Covenant. Helen is co-convenor of a new ‘product stewardship cluster’ which is exploring opportunities for greater collaboration between stewardship schemes. Helen recently published her book Product Stewardship in Action (Greenleaf, 2016). She is also a co-author of Packaging for sustainability (Springer, 2012) and Design + Environment (Greenleaf, 2001).  

 

Carl Smith

Chief Executive Officer/President, Call2Recycle

Since 2008, Mr. Smith has headed Call2Recycle Inc., North America’s first and arguably most successful product stewardship program. In this capacity, he oversees the organization’s strategy, management of its national promotional and education efforts, and its complex stakeholder relationships. He is known for his deep understanding of product stewardship and its impact and unintended consequences on the market. Mr. Smith has extensive experience in strategic marketing, brand positioning, general management and environmental leadership. He has held senior leadership positions in marketing and general management with Fortune 500 companies, headed environmental organizations, and has had considerable public policy experience as a lobbyist and on Capitol Hill. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Mark Kurschner

President, Product Care Association

Mark is the president of Product Care Association based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Product Care is a non-profit industry association that operates product stewardship programs across Canada. Product Care manages programs on behalf of its members and also as program manager for other stewardship organizations. Products and programs managed by Product Care include paint, lighting products, flammable liquids, pesticides, smoke alarms, as well as large and small appliances and outdoor power equipment. Product Care also works in the USA. On January 1, 2015 PCA launched the Washington State Mercury Containing Lamps “LightRecycle” program, and PCA also works with the Mattress Recycling Council. Mark became the president of Product Care Association in 2002 and is a qualified lawyer. 

 

David Lawes

Consultant and Board President, Global Product Stewardship Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Cassel (Moderator)

Chief Executive Officer, Product Stewardship Institute

Scott Cassel has over 30 years of experience tackling waste management issues in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to founding the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) in 2000, he served seven years as the Director of Waste Policy and Planning for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, where he developed and implemented solid and hazardous waste management policies and programs. Scott is a nationally renowned leader in the product stewardship movement and has experience across multiple product categories, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, mattresses, packaging, and paint. As PSI’s CEO, he developed the widely acclaimed facilitation process that the organization uses for stakeholder engagement and consensus-building—a process that resulted in the nation’s first industry-run, government-mandated paint stewardship program.