Packaging Waste Reduction

Board Action 

California Integrated Waste Management Board

Policy, Research & Technical Assistance Committee
April 7, 1998
AGENDA ITEM

ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF FINDINGS OF THE SHIPPING AND DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP

I. SUMMARY

The goal of the Shipping & Distribution Partnership was to identify approaches for improving shipping and distribution efficiency that will result in less packaging going to landfills. An open meeting of all interested stakeholders was held, in the format of a workshop, to determine how the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) should expand staff activities in this direction.

Based on responses from workshop participants, there is support for CIWMB to carry out its informational role by educating businesses about shipping and distribution efficiency through:

• developing and maintaining a web site; and
• collecting and disseminating informational materials.

II. PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION

At its March 1997 meeting, CIWMB considered several activities under the "Getting to 50 Percent Initiative," including three options aimed at reducing the amount of packaging disposed in landfills by the year 2000. It approved the "Shipping & Distribution Partnership" option, which focuses on shipping and distribution efficiency as an effective means of achieving this goal by using a voluntary partnership approach.

The Shipping & Distribution Partnership option directed staff to facilitate an open meeting of all interested stakeholders to:

• Identify effective approaches for improving shipping and distribution efficiency which will result in less packaging going to landfills;
• Identify methods for educating those who utilize shipping and distribution systems; and
• Identify next steps, including suggestions for how CIWMB can facilitate an ongoing process with stakeholders.

Staff was directed to report back to the Policy, Research and Technical Assistance Committee after this open meeting with findings and recommendations.

III. OPTIONS FOR THE COMMITTEE

1. Educate businesses about shipping and distribution efficiency.
   • Develop and maintain a web site of shipping and distribution information.
   • Create educational materials.
2. Educate businesses about potential shipping and distribution efficiency through an active partnership among interested stakeholders.
   • Set up a speakers bureau and seek speaking opportunities
   • Assistance in developing regional informational forums
   • Develop working groups to address specific issues
   • Form a task force to guide partnership activities
3. Develop an assistance center for efficient shipping and distribution.
4. Pursue one of the above options with changes.

IV. STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Based on responses from stakeholders, staff recommends Option 1.

1. Direct staff to educate businesses about shipping and distribution efficiency by:

a) developing and maintaining a web site of shipping and distribution information, containing basic information with links to experts (in accordance with CIWMB’s External Links Policy) that site visitors can contact for more information; and

b) collecting and disseminating informational (non-advertising) materials, such as "Taking Packaging for Granted, Can You Afford To?" written as a result of the workshop (see Attachment 1), that demonstrate resource efficiency and improvements in recyclability and recycled content, developed by professionals in shipping and distribution businesses, other related organizations, and staff.

V. REPORT

Background:

As part of CIWMB’s Waste Prevention & Market Development Division existing activities, staff encourages waste reduction by businesses and individuals, and promotes use of the diverted materials by manufacturers of recycled products and purchase of these products by businesses and consumers. Programs include providing local government and businesses with assistance and resources to use in reaching the diversion mandates of the Integrated Waste Management Act.

The goal of the Shipping & Distribution Partnership was to identify approaches for improving shipping and distribution efficiency, which will result in less packaging going to landfills. An open meeting of all interested stakeholders was conducted to determine how staff should expand CIWMB activities in this direction.

Workshop Agenda and Participation:

The open meeting, in the format of a workshop titled "Saving Money and Improving Efficiency of Packaging in Distribution Systems," was held in October 1997 at San Jose State University.

Over 70 people attended the workshop. Participants included product manufacturers, packaging manufacturers, retailers, distributors, hauling/shipping businesses, garbage/recycling companies, environmental groups, consultants, educational institutions, local governments, and the media. The group most represented that day was the packaging industry (packaging manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, and related trade organizations).

The workshop agenda consisted of the following:

• Case Studies. Various speakers presented case studies on saving money and improving packaging and distribution efficiency, which attendees can consider or use as a building block for their own activities.
• Panel Discussion. A panel of experts offered advice for a hypothetical problem--a new, small manufacturer with a new product who needs help determining the best way to package, ship, and distribute his product. The discussion attested to the complexity of choosing the right system to package and distribute a product. The panel represented the diversity of stakeholders in shipping and distribution systems: product manufacturers, packaging manufacturers (both paper and plastic), retailers, transporters, and recycling/garbage haulers.
• Industry Sessions.
  • "Packaging, Shipping, and Logistics: What makes sense for you?" With the numerous options available to package and distribute products, this industry session focused on the various issues when considering efficient packaging and distribution.
  • "Perishables and Non-Perishables." This session discussed various issues related to perishable and non-perishable products.
• Stakeholders Panel: Summary and Next Steps. Attendees were encouraged to comment on the follow-up documents that would be sent to them after the workshop.

Workshop Follow-up:

After the open meeting, staff distributed two documents to participants for review and comment.

• Taking Packaging for Granted, Can You Afford It? – The intent of this document is to inform manufacturers, retailers, and other stakeholders about the benefits of efficient shipping and distribution and to encourage them to take a closer look at how they can make improvements. It incorporates themes and case studies from the workshop. 
• Options for a Collaborative Partnership Approach – Reviewers were asked to indicate their interest in participating in three options:

1) Educate business about shipping and distribution efficiency;

2) Educate businesses about potential shipping and distribution efficiency through an active partnership among interested stakeholders; or

3) Develop an assistance center for efficient shipping and distribution.

Findings:

• Based on participant surveys, the workshop was a success. Many attendees indicated that the workshop was helpful and worthwhile. Most agreed that there is room for improvement in efficiency of packaging and distribution systems. They favored the open format of the workshop and found benefit in bringing together all the different stakeholders.

Furthermore, the workshop helped draw attention to the role of packaging professionals and the Packaging Program at San Jose State University. Staff firmly believe that when companies seek the expertise of packaging professionals, they will use more efficient packaging, shipping and distribution systems that will result in less packaging going to landfills. Additionally, by working with academia, we had the opportunity to emphasize the need for packaging professionals to consider waste generation during packaging design. As future packaging professionals are educated about the environmental impacts of their work, and as companies increase their use of packaging professionals, the effects can be long-term and widespread.

• Response rate to workshop follow-up documents was low. Despite interest at the workshop, only 14 people responded out of the 70 workshop attendees. Furthermore, staff received only three responses from retailers and product manufacturers even after extending the review period and making additional follow up phone calls or sending e-mail messages to workshop attendees in this group. Staff considers retailers and product manufacturers to be the target audience because of their potential to drive the market when they request more efficient products and practices.
• Of those who responded, commitment was low. Very few were willing to take a lead role in possible activities, and these individuals were not of the target audience. A number of respondents showed varied amounts of interest in the three options, but indicated limited involvement. Others, mainly packaging manufacturers, believe that a "collaborative partnership" with CIWMB is not needed since "competition is already making these changes."
• There is support for Option 1. There is support for CIWMB to carry out its informational role by educating businesses about shipping and distribution efficiency. Components of this activity are described further in the "Staff Recommendation" section of this agenda item.

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