How could product stewardship be good for everyone?

Published: 2009-04-21 By: Gwilym Griffith-Jones
Campaign: GetReal - Packaging is a priority
Category: Backgrounders

Product stewardship is a concept where environmental protection centers around the product itself, and everyone involved in the lifespan of the product is called upon to take up responsibility to reduce its environmental impact.

 

At it’s best it is a cradle-to-cradle approach with materials being reused or recycled for ever. Every one involved in the process shares responsibility for making it work. That's got to be better than the fast track down to the landfill we have now, with our cradle-to-grave thinking.

 

Product stewardship is:

 

Good for business:
The best business people around the world are already building sustainability into their strategies and practices. They know that One Planet Business is the future. With the government providing a stable, level playing field the best packaging manufacturers and designers will be able to turn a profit without freeriders hanging off their coat tails.

Good for the consumer:
We all pay, one way or another, for poor decisions made in the production/consumption process. A good product stewardship system would give us the information we need to make good choices about products we buy.  Sometimes we are paying more for the package than what is inside.  A fair system lets you know what the real price is when you buy it so there are no hidden costs for people or the planet.

Good for the environment:
Enhancing our environment is about wise resource use and conservation decisions, alongside a commitment to waste reduction. We need to use incentives that encourage us to do the right thing. Strong product stewardship processes, intelligent technology and tighter feedback loops will give us continuous improvement. That's real cradle-to-cradle thinking.

Good Governance:
There are strong principles and clear policy in the NZ Waste strategy. It's taken 7 years to get to the point where we have the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 to support it. Government needs to play it’s part and make sure those that do the right thing benefit. Sustainability is so this centuary. We can’t afford to back down now.

 

It's good for everyone, so join up and help make it happen.