News & Events

Our CEO Russ Martin was recently invited to participate in the CEO & Business Leaders Summit in Sydney. In addition to discussing some of the potential implications for the SMaRT Centre technology for recycling and product stewardship, especially in developing countries, Russ addressed the costs of ‘patchwork’ regulation in US and Europe, resource needs for growth and higher standards of living in developing countries, generating resources and capturing them through ‘urban mining’ and multinationals’ desires for consistent standards and approaches. Russ also spoke in a panel discussion at the CEO Retreat to discuss resource recovery and product stewardship as part of developing sustainable cities. Again, collaboration was a key theme, and the GlobalPSC’s involvement has been sought for several fascinating projects in Asia. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as these projects unfold.

 

The GlobalPSC recently collaborated with the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), Australian and US-based parties to host a webinar  on battery product stewardship developments in the United States. The US is on the verge of breakthrough legislation for both primary (single-use) and rechargeable batteries. This shift from a voluntary approach to a regulatory approach covering both battery types has coalesced over the past six months, as an increasing number of government agencies have expressed interest in a legislative solution to household battery management.

The webinar discussed the unique differences between the single-use and rechargeable battery industries, key issues that are being addressed to find a unified legislation solution, lessons for other countries such as Australia (where consultation is underway on a national battery stewardship scheme), and outstanding challenges faced by US state and local governments, manufacturers, retailers, and other key stakeholders in the year ahead.

Feedback from the webinar has been especially positive and we would like to thank all those that made it possible or otherwise participated. Free registration was provided for Australian residents thanks to our sponsors the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI), TES-AMM, Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and Canon, in partnership with the GlobalPSC and PSI. Australians who missed this webinar can download the recording for free by contacting us. Follow-up questions and answers are also available.

 

Annual General Meeting

The GlobalPSC is holding its Annual General Meeting via webconference at 0700 Eastern Standard Time in Australia on Tuesday, 9 December 2014. Due to time zone differences, this equates to the following:

• 2000 on Monday, 8 December in London
• 1500 on Monday, 8 December in Boston and Toronto
• 1400 on Monday, 8 December in Minneapolis
• 1200 on Monday, 8 December in Vancouver

Email admin@globalpsc.net to register for participation in the AGM. While multiple representatives of member organisations are welcome to participate in the AGM, each organisation is entitled to one vote only. Participation details will be emailed to you once registered.

Items to be addressed during the AGM include:

• President’s report on GlobalPSC activities during the last preceding financial year
• Member feedback / Q&A on GlobalPSC member services
• Financial statement
• Election of office-holders and other Executive Committee Positions

 

Call for Office-holders and other Executive Committee Positions

In accordance with the Rules of the GlobalPSC, nominations for office-holders and other Executive Committee positions are now open. Only paid-up full GlobalPSC members may nominate a candidate, or be nominated as a candidate.

The term of office of all currently elected GlobalPSC officers and Executive Committee members will expire at the conclusion of the AGM.  Nominations are called for the following positions (current office-holders are listed), to be in effect for one year:

• President (Neil Hastie)
• Vice-President (David Perchard)
• Treasurer (Rose Read)
• Secretary (Russ Martin)

The Executive Committee currently comprises the office-holders plus Scott Cassel, Garth Hickle and Ed Cordner. All current office-holders and Executive Committee members have opted to run for re-election, as allowed under GlobalPSC Rules.

Nominations for office-holders and committee members must be made in writing, signed by 2 members of the GlobalPSC and accompanied by the written consent of the candidate. Candidates will be required to provide a recent high-resolution digital photograph and a statement of no more than 100 words in support of their candidature.

Nominations should be emailed to russ@globalpsc.net by 1 December 2014.

 

New GlobalPSC Members and Member Profiles

• Product Stewardship Society (USA)
• Perchards (GlobalPSC Foundation Member) (Europe and worldwide)
• Joachim Quoden Law Firm (Germany)

Member profiles and program updates are available here.

 

Events Update

The Global Product Stewardship Council is presenting at or participating in the following events:

• World CSR Congress, 17-18 February 2015 in Mumbai, India
• Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum, 25-26 February 2015 in Brussels, Belgium

At these events, we will be promoting the involvement of GlobalPSC members and our activities.