Objective 1: Assess public attitude, consumer motivation, and consumer knowledge level of U-waste disposal ban
1.1 Survey businesses
Deliverable: Report from subcontractor that identifies best practices methodology and approaches
1.2 Identify and recruit a minimum of 36 participants from key stakeholder groups
Deliverable: Final report from Elliot Benson, contractor for Tasks 1.2 through 1.4. which will include a list of potential participants for focus groups, promote focus groups
1.3 Plan and conduct 4 focus groups
Deliverables: 2 focus groups for public and 2 focus groups for businesses
1.4 Synthesize data collected from tasks 1.1 – 1.3 and analyze and develop findings
Deliverables: Data analysis and findings
Objective 2: Test and document financial and publicity value to retailers in providing take-back program
Deliverable: Final report from contractor that will provide details of the subtasks listed below
2.1 Develop survey tool and identify a random sampling for surveys
Deliverable: Survey tool and sampling methodology
2.2 Conduct a total of 225 telephone surveys of potential consumers
Deliverable: Telephone survey results
2.3 Synthesize data collected from 2.1 – 2.2 and develop findings of benefits to retailers
Deliverable: Data analysis and findings
Objective 3: Build knowledge and capacity, engage in a public awareness campaign and conduct presentations to key stakeholder groups
3.1 Utilizing findings from focus groups, develop public awareness campaign strategy and materials including print, radio, web-based, and PSA methods
Deliverable: Develop public awareness campaign, written summary of overall PR campaign
3.2 Execute on-going community/citizen awareness campaign targeted at CFL and battery hazards, safe-handling, and take-back opportunities
Deliverables: Awareness campaign, PowerPoint presentations, handout material, radio spots, print ads, mailers, etc.
3.3 Build relationships and buy-in from local government staff and elected officials
Deliverables: Conduct 20 meetings and presentations documented in chronological order in a spreadsheet noting location, audience, date, etc.
3.4 Utilizing findings from take-back value test, to introduce the concept of producer responsibility and take-back programs
Deliverable: List of product manufacturers and/or retailers approached
Objective 4: Develop CFL and battery take-back program models based. Identify and engage manufacturers and retailers in implementation of producer managed and financed programs
4.1 Identify 100 businesses that may participate in the take-back program.
Deliverable: Database of potential participants
4.2 Meet with 60 businesses to negotiate structure and logistics of take-back program.
Deliverables: Develop summary of information on potentially different take-back programs or one program that will be offered to businesses. Spreadsheet of contacts made with all 60 businesses, date, results, comments and special requests.
4.3 Provide technical support for take-back program implementation to businesses on case-by-case basis
Deliverable: List of businesses supported and type of support needed, FAQs, BMPs, training materials
4.4 Execute agreements for and implement take-back programs in the San Gabriel Valley
Deliverable: Develop Final Agreement. List of businesses that sign agreement to take back batteries and lamps
4.5 Conduct follow-up with participating businesses and gather relevant data
Deliverable: Phone survey every 3 months after program initiation. Final survey at the close of the grant period.
Objective 5: Support expanded take-back in a jurisdiction within 20 months of program initiation, engage local government entities in consideration of adopting an EPR related resolution or policy. Assist local governments in the development of relevant planning, adoption, and implementation documentation.
5.1 Conduct meeting with eight local government representatives of jurisdictions
Deliverable: List of local government representatives
5.2 Provide technical assistance in drafting resolutions and policies to jurisdictions
Deliverables: Local government staff reports, resolutions and policies
5.3 Provide technical assistance in integrating EPR into purchasing specifications in at least 10 jurisdictions
Deliverables: List of jurisdictions, EPR specifications in purchasing policies
Objective 6: Encourage businesses to become certified as “retail product stewards” that provide product take-back services through recognition programs
6.1 Develop “retail product stewards” recognition program with public relations materials and identifying stickers for store windows
Deliverables: Award criteria, public relations material, window sticker
6.2 Engage in awareness campaign for local businesses to understand the strategies and benefits of becoming a retail product steward
Deliverables: Media materials for awareness campaign
6.3 Develop and maintain inventory of retailer product stewards product take-back services in the San Gabriel Valley
Deliverable: Inventory of retail product stewards in project area
6.4 Provide PR materials including “product steward” recognition stickers to the business and post listing on COG website, conduct a press release every six months advertising the green businesses for taking back these products, and have eight feature articles in the local newspapers and other print media
Deliverable: PR materials, press releases, press articles
The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (COG) was granted $395,966 from the California Integrated Waste Management Board’s 18th cycle HHW grant 
program. This grant focuses on providing outreach and education on Extended Producer Responsibility and developing pilot take-back centers for batteries and mercury-containing lamps for member jurisdictions of the COG, with the exception of Los Angeles County, La Puente, City of Industry, and Walnut. This project will also build knowledge and capacity among San Gabriel Valley local governments, retailers, producers and other stakeholders to begin the transition from government-managed and financed product end-of-life (EOL) systems to producer-managed and financed EOL systems for products banned from trash under the universal disposal ban. The California Product Stewardship is the primary contractor for implementing this project.