Reverse distribution, is using the same distribution system that distributed the product to collect and return the product to the distributor. The beverage industry's "reverse distribution system", which collected refillable bottles and returned them to the bottling plant to be washed and refilled inspired the idea of "bottle bills" more than three decades ago. The decentralization of the beer and soft drink industries and the demise of refillables has pretty much done away with reverse distribution. Even for collection of bottle bill materials, third parties are often relied upon to collect the bottles and cans.
When trucks loaded with PRODUCT drop off their wares, why not pick up used products at the same time?
**************************************** Patricia Franklin Executive Director Container Recycling Institute 1911 N. Fort Myer Drive, Ste. 702 Arlington, VA 22209
TEL: 703.276.9800 FAX: 703.276.9587 EMAIL: pfranklin@no.address
http://www.container-recycling.org http://www.bottlebill.info ****************************************
-----Original Message----- From: CUYLER Alex D [mailto:Alex.D.CUYLER@no.address] Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 3:21 PM To: greenyes@no.address Subject: [greenyes] Dell grants
I was intrigued by Helen Spiegleman's comments on the Dell tracking system for used computers and peripherals. The phrase she used, "reverse distribution" deserves some analysis. In looking at the economic implications of reverse distribution, how will it compare with the distribution of new goods and services? Money will be spent on many of the same features: trucking, advertising, packaging, administration, etc. What is the job creation potential here? How do these expenses compare with the traditional expenses associated with delivering these materials to a landfill or burner? Can we use this kind of analysis to show the economic value of product stewardship activities? In terms of who pays for these efforts, is there a comparison that can be made between traditional tax based economic development activities and product stewardship "fees"? In other words, if I pay $10.00 at the point of sale for the appropriate disposal of my computer, is this $10 more or less effective (in economic development terms) than the same $10.00 that I pay in local, state, or federal taxes? -- AC
Alex Cuyler Recycling and Solid Waste Specialist City of Eugene Planning and Development Department phone: (541) 682-6830 fax: (541) 682-6806