Beating Plastic Pollution: GAP for EPR launches Policy Paper about Basic Facts and Key Principles of Extended Producer Responsibility
What are Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, why do they matter, and how can they be used to help beat plastic pollution?
To answer these questions, the Global Action Partnership for Extended Producer Responsibility launched the policy paper “Extended Producer Responsibility: Basic Facts and Key Principles” in an insightful accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2024. Find the event’s presentation here.
The paper was developed together with OECD, GIZ, UNEP, WWF, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the PREVENT Waste Alliance, providing a digestible overview of EPR, its impact and potential applications. It underscores common principles that have been linked with successful EPR schemes and lays out structured guidance for their policy implementation.
EPR schemes enable a transition to a circular economy
The paper outlines several steps and suggestions on designing EPR systems on a global level. Take a look at the top 6 suggestions:
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- Clearly define responsibilities.
- Periodically review targets. EPR policy targets should be reassessed and adjusted in line with waste management and resource productivity policy objectives.
- Design EPR policy to prioritise actions according to the was te hierarchy (reduction, reuse, recycling) and encourage efforts towards a circular economy.
- Consider gradual growth in target-setting.
- Organise a formal and regular dialogue among involved stakeholders.
- Recognise and integrate the informal waste sector in EPR schemes.
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If followed, EPR schemes could help meaningfully combat plastic pollution and support waste prevention.
The full paper is available to read here!
