Carlisle Institute Releases Working Paper on Electronic Waste Management Programs in New Brunswick

For release October 18, 2011, 2010

FREDERICTON, NB - The Carlisle Institute today released its working paper on electronic waste management programs in New Brunswick. The study This examines the how appropriate distributions of responsibility could address the problems of environmental stewardship and how collaboration between industry and government is in the public interest.

"Technological innovation is transforming the consumer electronics industry," said Peter Lindfield, chair and CEO of the Carlisle Institute. "From a waste management perspective, the dramatic shortening of the innovation-driven product life cycle of advanced electronics means that sophisticated products such as computers and printers have become obsolete much more quickly than their traditional counterparts. Electronic waste management has become a significant challenge."

The study examines how industry already has an effective, efficient and accountable infrastructure in place and has a proven track record in managing electronic waste recycling programs. It also reviews how the industry’s approach has resulted in substantial material recovery benefits to the public.

The paper contains a recommendation that the responsibility for stewardship plans and the funding mechanisms within them should rest primarily with producers, manufacturers and retailers, rather than with government.

"Duplicating the effective management infrastructure that industry already has in place is a waste of scarce public funds. Government should take advantage of this infrastructure and avoid government expenditures duplicating what is already working," Lindfield said.

For more information, contact:

Peter Lindfield
Chair and CEO, Carlisle Institute
506) 471-8389
peter.lindfield@carlisleinstitute.org

About the Carlisle Institute
The Carlisle Institute is a non-partisan, non-profit research center and think tank dedicated to increasing the understanding of the challenges of globalization and its building impact on citizens everywhere. For more information about the Carlisle Institute, contact us at media@carlisleinstitute.org.