The major goals of the workshop were to: (1) enhance understanding of the principle of EPR; (2) demonstrate the various models, actors, and industry sectors implementing EPR through presentation of case studies; (3) determine how best to educate the business community, government, environmental organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations about the benefits and challenges of EPR, and (4) encourage greater implementation of EPR. The workshop program included introductory presentations on the concept of EPR and the drivers and obstacles facing businesses and other organizations interested in EPR. Eleven companies presented case studies on how they are implementing EPR to reduce the life-cycle environmental impacts of their products. Some of the presentations included partners (e.g., suppliers, product users, trade associations) in the product life cycle who are helping to make EPR successful. Industry sectors represented in the case studies included the automobile, of rest products, consumer products, building cleaning and maintenance, plastics, telecommunications, office equipment, battery, and carpeting industries. Special sessions addressed specific issues on: (1) models and strategies for EPR; (2) the business case for EPR; (3) barriers to impelmentation of EPR; (4) outreach strategies for EPR (e.g., how to spread the word on the new EPR paradigm); and finally, (5) next steps that the PCSD and others should take to promote wider implementation of EPR.

"February 1997." "Sponsored jointly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Solid Waste."--Cover. Includes bibliographical references.