What is Product Stewardship?
Product Stewardship focuses on improving the environmental performance of a product throughout that product’s lifecycle.
Product Stewardship is a new approach being adopted into law by governments throughout the world, including New Zealand. It has significant implications for all those involved in the lifecycle of products.
Product Stewardship in New Zealand
The New Zealand government is developing legislation that will make product stewardship a requirement for industry.
The proposed Waste Minimisation Bill has set out the Government’s preferred approach to product stewardship. The bill describes how a product can be classified as a priority product, compulsory product stewardship schemes can be developed and accredited, and voluntary schemes accredited for some products.
Product stewardship usually focuses on products that are of concern because they are:
- High volume
- Hazardous
- Of public concern, or
- Have a high environmental impact
Overseas, product stewardship has been applied to products such as:
- Batteries
- IT equipment
- Electronics
- Packaging
- Cars
- Lighting
- Used oil
- Plastics
Click here to see links to other websites with further information about product stewardship
