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ABOUT THE PMA

 

About the Product Management Alliance

The Product Management Alliance began as an informal information sharing group of companies, manufacturers and trade associations. Its focus was on state activities on the topic of extended producer responsibility (EPR) and product stewardship. Within a few months of the coalition discussing ideas and updates on the status of state mandated programs, it was clear that a better perspective on this issue needed to be voiced on a much larger scale. As a result, the Product Management Alliance was formed. The Product Management Alliance (PMA) is a national coalition that is committed to effective, efficient, and equal management of a product throughout its lifecycle. The PMA believes that all parties share this responsibility and advocates against legislative and regulatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) proposals that shift the cost and burden of product reclamation and disposal solely to industry. The PMA supports cross-industry and multi-tiered collaboration to achieve its goals and promote environmentally responsible business practices on all levels. EPR damages vital American industries that produce and manufacture goods and results in the loss of American jobs when these industries move overseas. PMA members represent a vast range of industries including but not limited to: carpet, electronics, paper, packaging and mattress industries. EPR can affect virtually any industry. PMA’s members work together and endorse voluntary, environmentally responsible endeavors by all parties for efficient and effective management of all products throughout their lifecycles.

 

What is EPR?

 

EPR shifts the end-of-life costs associated with goods onto the manufacturers and others who market, distribute and sell goods.

 

What the PMA Believes

 

• The members of the PMA, and the companies they represent, believe in environmentally responsible business practices. As a result, our member companies and industries are involved in successful voluntary waste recovery programs, and support recycling wherever it is achievable.
• The PMA supports and advocates for shared responsibility across all parties in a products lifecycle. Thus we advocate against EPR proposals that shift the cost of product reclamation and disposal solely onto industry.
• EPR legislation adds costly and unnecessary mandates for consumers and local governments. Further, it damages vital American industries that produce and manufacture goods, which in turn leads to these industries moving overseas and the loss of American jobs.

 

Why EPR is not the solution

 

EPR is not a viable solution for industry, consumers or governments. Consumers pay for recycling services whether it is in the form of taxes under existing programs or through added higher costs of goods under EPR. Indeed, EPR mandates may result in consumers being hit twice as many communities will likely not reduce fees or taxes after implementing EPR. Studies show that the cost of operating and implementing recycling programs are more expensive under EPR systems. In fact, studies indicate that foreign countries that have instituted EPR programs often have lower overall consumer participation or recycling rates.

 

Why voluntary, market based collaboration is the answer

 

Market based solutions put forth by PMA members and supporters of shared responsibility have resulted in high recycling rates without creating new government bureaucracies, raising costs for consumers, threatening product safety or imposing new mandates on American businesses. For example 90% of major appliances are recycled Manufacturers are also designing for the environment by increasing product sustainability and working with their supply chains to address the entire product’s lifecycle. Also, voluntary programs relieve state and local municipalities of undue costs and burden and promote community involvement, pride and wide spread shared environmental responsibility.

 

Proven Results

 

PMA members and their companies have sophisticated and proven market-based solutions that increase the number of goods recovered and recycled through voluntary initiatives.

FOUNDING INDUSTRIES

• Carpet
• Electronics
• Industrial equipment
• Mattresses
• Packaging
• Paper
• Personal goods
• Pharmaceuticals
• Plastics
• And many others…