Electronic Product Management

Product Stewardship

Product stewardship is a principle that is gaining a lot of attention in the United States. The interest stems from growing concern over who should bear the costs of managing, either through recycling or disposal, consumer products ranging from beverage containers to computer monitors. 

Through product stewardship, all parties involved in the design, manufacture, use, and final disposition of a product share a responsibility for how to minimize the impacts of that product on the environment as well as cover that cost. This includes the manufacturer, the retailer, the consumer, and the end-of-use management infrastructure.

A number of organizations are working to encourage product stewardship for electronic equipment. 

• Western Electronic Product Stewardship Initiative
• Northwest Product Stewardship Council
• National Product Stewardship Institute
• Minnesota's Office of Environmental Assistance
• U.S. EPA's Region 10 also provides a great overview of the topic of product stewardship and some of the players involved.

Please also see information on past product stewardship related events.

Last updated: June 13, 2008