Historically, federal, state and local government have managed environmental issues through regulation, assessing potential harm to human health and instituting policies that minimize risks. The result has been both environmental and human health protection governed by a myriad of requirements, reports and restrictions. The aspiration of product stewardship – seeking “producers” of products to influence consumer behavior, finance the end of life disposal of products and improve the design of their products – has also been translated into law and regulation in many states and provinces. While the goal of product stewardship – zero waste – is almost always beyond reproach, using the regulatory process is arguably not.
Consumer behavior change is not typically achievable through comprehensive regulation unless there is an immediate danger to human health (think cigarettes). Government needs to take a lighter hand with regulation and a more prominent role as an enabler.
Consumers don’t believe product manufacturers’ green claims and don’t consider them to be credible sources for environmental information on issues like recycling. Exposés on “green-washing” (see the Sins of Green-Washing –<a href=”http://www.sinsofgreenwashing.org” target=”_blank”) routinely illustrate this concern. In fact, government information has shown to have the greatest credibility regarding environmental information among consumers. It’s a task that government cannot abdicate as part of broader efforts to make manufacturers more responsible for the products they put into the marketplace. Governments must partner with product stewardship programs to change behaviors.