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18 <br /> <br />consumer products. The committee's charge is to study the economic, <br />social and environmental consequences of resource conservation, and <br />to submit to Congress recommendations for legislative action to <br />improve national materials and resources policies. <br /> <br />Deposits <br /> <br />A deposit is an extra charge to the consumer to encourage product <br />reuse. The deposit is refunded when the reusable portion of the <br />product is returned. Although the deposit may be mandatory, the <br />consumer may forfeit the deposit by not returning the reusable part <br />of the product. Deposit measures are limited to products that have a <br />readily reusable component, such as beverage containers, tires or <br />automobile hulks. <br /> <br />Deposits provide an economic incentive to return a product so it can <br />be used again with minimal recovery costs. One benefit is that a <br />portion of the deposit may be used to defray the cost of recovering <br />and properly disposing of products that aren't returned. <br /> <br />Mandatory deposit laws have been enacted by the Oregon, Vermont, <br />Michigan and Maine legislatures. Similar action by the Minnesota <br />Legislature would be required to implement mandatory deposit programs <br />in Minnesota. <br /> <br />Bans <br /> <br />Bans may be used to control products, such as DDT, that present high <br />environmental or public health risks. Bans generally can be applied <br />only if there are alternative materials and products. Thus, bans are <br />somewhat limited, and require either legislative action or regulatory <br />agency resolution to be implemented properly. <br /> <br />Voluntary Actions <br /> <br />Voluntary actions for waste reduction can be initiated by either <br />producers or consumers. Examples include recycling, redesigning <br />products to increase desirability, and implementing waste management <br />practices. Consumer preferences for larger package sizes, smaller <br />and more economical automobiles, and more durable goods are <br />indicative of a more cost-conscious public. The increasing costs of <br />raw materials, energy and waste management are ncentlves for <br /> i ' <br />industry to evaluate waste reduction measures and the potential to <br />recycle products. Some Area manufacturers have initiated programs to <br />minimize energy and material equlrements and waste management <br /> r ' <br />problems. These efforts should have a positive effect on the <br />environment. <br /> <br />Buying and Internal Management Practices <br /> <br />Policies for buying and using products can reduce waste and save <br />money. Waste reduction programs within government could reduce total <br />solid waste by about one percent and financially benefit both <br />government and industry. Four of the most widely practiced <br />techniques are reducing the use of computer printouts, scratch paper <br />and carbon paper, and increasing the use of microfiche. <br /> <br /> <br />