Overview
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) shifts the burden of waste management from consumers and municipalities to the companies that design and sell products. Under EPR, producers must fund collection, recycling, or disposal of their products at end-of-life. This incentivizes designing products that are easier to recycle, longer-lasting, and less wasteful. EPR programs are expanding globally, covering electronics, packaging, textiles, and batteries. They are driving innovation in product design and creating new circular economy business models.
Tags
waste policyproducer responsibilityproduct lifecyclerecycling
Economic Impact
Medium Impact
Reducing municipal waste costs while driving $50B+ in recycling industry investment.
Emerged
2000
Related Topics
Materials
Circular Economy
Economic model eliminating waste through reuse, repair, and recycling.
Materials
Biodegradable Packaging
Packaging materials designed to decompose naturally in the environment.
Technology
Biomimicry in Design
Designing products and systems inspired by nature's time-tested patterns.