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Sustainability News

February 6, 2013

The Sustainability Consortium LogoTEMPE, Ariz. - February 5, 2013 - The Sustainability Consortium, an independent global organization developing science-based tools that advance the measurement and reporting of consumer product sustainability, is pleased to announce the launch of an Electronics Delphi Panel.

The Ideal Electronics Product Takeback Program Definition Delphi Panel has been initiated to develop a definition for an ideal electronics takeback program, which does not currently exist. This is the first step in developing a set of Electronics Product Takeback Program Metrics. The panel consists of invited experts including: government, non-government, manufacturers (OEMs), electronics recyclers and refurbishers, and retailers all with extensive experience in this area. This panel is part of the larger End of Life (EOL) Innovation Project, the first of its kind at TSC. The vision of this innovation project is to develop a standard assessment for the effectiveness of product takeback programs. The panel launched yesterday and will run through four phases over the next three months. The final definition and project report is scheduled to be released to TSC members in May. The panel will be directed by the Electronics Sector Working Group Research Manager, Carole Mars.

“We are very excited to launch our Delphi panel and look forward to working with our panel of experts to establish a definition to fill the current gap. The Consortium’s members in the Electronics Sector Working Group are extremely dedicated to this End of Life Innovation Project – and have dedicated a lot of time and energy into it. This work will provide a solid foundation for the next phase of our research,” said Carle Mars, research manager at TSC.

The Electronics Sector Working Group is based out of TSC’s Arizona office at Arizona State University and is one of the most advanced working groups at TSC. It contributes to the SMRS, as well as, developing advanced projects such as the EOL innovation project. In 2012, the Electronics Sector completed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Category Sustainability Profiles (CSPs) for: televisions, monitors, mobile phones, computers, printers, CDs and DVDs, and printer ink among others.

In addition to the EOL Innovation Project, The Consortium also has an innovation project on biodiversity and water usage based in the Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Sector. TSC will develop more innovation projects with members during The Sustainability Consortium’s Member Summit meetings.

About The Sustainability Consortium

The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) is an independent organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. TSC develops transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives. The Sustainability Consortium advocates for a credible, scalable, and transparent process and system. The organization boasts over 90 members from all corners of business employing over 57 million people and whose combined revenues total over $1.5 Trillion. Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas jointly administer The Sustainability Consortium, with additional operations at Wageningen University in The Netherlands. Learn more at www.sustainabilityconsortium.org.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Kessler, Marketing Coordinator

The Sustainability Consortium

Arizona State University

Elizabeth.Kessler.1@asu.edu

(480) 965-3810