Legislators and regulators across the country have been discussing the merits of product-specific extended producer responsibility proposals.

If these discussions progress to actions, laws could be passed that would hold publishers accountable for all or a portion of the cost of disposing of telephone directories after consumers have used them. This is also known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

In order to provide a voice for our members on the issue of EPR, the Local Search Association is now a member of the Product Management Alliance (PMA). The PMA coordinates the activities of a national alliance of product manufacturers who believe that all parties in the supply chain share responsibility to effectively manage a product throughout its life cycle.

The core mission of the PMA is to educate and advocate on behalf of its members in order to address concerns related to mandated programs that shift the cost of product collection and reclamation solely to manufacturers.

Other PMA members include the Consumer Electronics Association which has a Greener Gadgets website, the Carpet & Rug Institute, the Plastics Industry Trade Association and the International Sleep Products Association which provides a list of sites by state to recycle mattresses.