Extended producer responsibility (EPR) aims to ensure that product manufacturers are made financially responsible for various parts of the life cycle of their products, including take-back, recycling and final disposal at the end of their useful life. In this way, it aims to apply what is often referred to as the ‘polluter pays principle’. EPR is typically used for specific waste product streams such as small consumer electronics, packaging and batteries. This briefing proposes some suggestions for actions that governments and businesses in developing countries can take to begin the implementation of EPR systems in their countries.
To stop the leakage of plastic into nature, we must move beyond simple waste collection and toward a systemic circular economy. This briefing highlights Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a powerful policy tool that shifts the financial and operational burden of waste management from local governments to the producers themselves. By internalizing the end-of-life costs of packaging, EPR creates a dedicated funding stream for recycling infrastructure while incentivizing companies to redesign products for durability and recyclability.
This briefing outlines how governments and businesses can collaborate to implement effective EPR schemes that drive a circular plastics economy. It addresses the current global crisis where only 14% of plastic packaging is recycled, largely due to a lack of funding for recovery systems. Key takeaways from the report include:
- The EPR Mechanism: A system where producers (manufacturers, importers, and brand owners) take responsibility for their products’ entire life cycle, specifically focusing on the post-consumer stage.
- Eco-Modulation: Using financial incentives, such as lower fees for highly recyclable or reusable packaging, to encourage “eco-design” at the production level.
- Systemic Roles: The Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) acts as the central coordinator, managing the funds collected from producers to pay for collection, sorting, and recycling activities.
- Inclusivity and Transparency: Successful schemes must integrate the informal waste sector to safeguard livelihoods and ensure all financial flows are transparent and ring-fenced for waste management purposes.
