U.S. Product Stewardship Forum Announces New Carpet Panel

The 2017 U.S. Product Stewardship Forum, to be held July 25-26 in Boston, recently announced speakers for a new carpet and mattresses panel. Three states have passed extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for mattresses, and one state has passed a carpet law. This interactive, moderated session will discuss the problems created by mattress and carpet waste, and the goals of EPR and voluntary initiatives. On this panel, attendees will hear from representatives of the mattress industry, a state agency managing EPR laws on mattresses and carpet, and a unique non-profit employing proven-risk youth in a mattress recycling operation. Lessons learned, which can apply to other product stewardship efforts, will examine the role of free markets vs. regulation, the role of stewardship plans, single vs. multiple stewardship organizations, and options for better product management. 

The panel will be held on Tuesday, July 25 from 10:45-11:45 a.m., moderated by Jennifer Heaton-Jones, director of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority, Conn. Speakers include Chris Hudgins, vice president of Industry and External Affairs for the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA), Cynthia Dunn, senior environmental scientist for the California Dept. of Resources Recycling and Recovery, and Ed Frechette, director of Enterprise Partnerships.