- Under NZ’s recommended e-product stewardship scheme structure, there are different options proposed for voluntary programmes to continue providing these much-needed services and form part of scheme operations – this includes recommendations enabling the accredited scheme manager to work with other Product Stewardship Organisations (PSOs) under an umbrella model for certain e-product categories, and via Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) programmes typically managed or contracted by e-product manufactures, importers or distributors.
- There are several voluntary e-product and e-waste stewardship programmes operating in NZ at present, and while these programmes go a long way to address negative life cycle impacts and improve waste reduction, e-product reuse, recycling and resource recirculation, they do not operate on a level playing field or cover all e-product categories with full market participation.
- The voluntary programme operators and stakeholders supporting these initiatives should be applauded for their early and proactive work in NZ’s e-product stewardship space, and TechCollect NZ thanks them for sharing their valuable views and experience throughout the co-design process.
