Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a regulatory strategy that aims to shift responsibility for managing a product’s entire lifecycle to the manufacturer, including recycling, collection, and disposal. In this article, we will discuss why EPR is important, the requirements of EPR, and its implications.
Why EPR is Important
The current global consumption rate is not sustainable, and waste management is a significant issue. For instance, in the UK, 12,673 metric tons of packaging waste were generated in 2021, and only 71 percent of paper and cardboard packaging was recovered, compared to just 44.1 percent of plastic packaging. Extended Producer Responsibility aims to reduce waste by shifting the responsibility of managing products’ entire lifecycle to the manufacturer, incentivizing producers to make more sustainable products and encourage more efficient use of resources.
The Requirements of EPR
Revisions to the Waste Framework Directive (2008) of the European Parliament and of the Council introduced new requirements for EPR schemes, obligating producers to cover the entire cost of waste management for the products they place on the market. This includes costs relating to collection, sorting, treatment, and funding information campaigns and data gathering and reporting. For instance, from 2023, businesses placing products covered by specific schemes onto the UK market will be required to pay the full costs associated with the product throughout its lifecycle.
Implications of EPR
The Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) expects obligated producer costs to be around £1.7 billion each year. This will cover household waste, packaging recycling costs, Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) costs, and packaging in street bins. PRN costs are expected to be around £300m. However, DEFRA reports that EPR fees will be modulated (varied) to reflect criteria such as recyclability, giving producers more control over the fees they pay and any impact on consumer prices.
How Other Countries are Adapting to EPR
More governments worldwide are recognizing the long-term benefits of EPR. For instance, Andorra has banned products such as plastic straws and polystyrene containers to promote reusable alternatives. France has banned throwaway boxes and single-use cutlery from restaurants and cafes since 2021, and England is set to introduce a deposit return scheme for plastic drinks containers and the ban of certain single-use plastics like plates, cutlery, and food containers.
EPR aims to shift responsibility for managing a product’s entire lifecycle to the manufacturer, incentivizing producers to make more sustainable products and promote efficient use of resources. While it might increase producer compliance costs, the benefits of sustainable consumption and reducing waste are worth it. EPR is a long-term solution to waste management that will help create a sustainable future for all.
How Benchmark can help:
Benchmark is a bespoke global commercial and climate consultancy for the world of packaging. Using actual data or science-based data, we help organizations identify granular commercial and environmental costs, allowing informed scope 3 decisions to be made. Since we have no vested interests, we are authentic. Providing target feasibility assessments, Gap Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment and supplier engagement initiatives
Benchmark’s unique estimating software solution for packaging calculates the Carbon footprint (CO2e) to ISO 14067 the price, the plastics tax, and other taxes to the level of the stock-keeping unit. To enable holistic informed decisions.
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