Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Reshaping EPR

For a game changing policy tool that supports prevention, reuse, separate collection and high-quality recycling

The tool of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been widely recognized and celebrated as being an effective way of making producers responsible for products (and their subsequent waste) they produce. On the one hand, based on a partnership between companies, municipalities and waste managers, it allows the financing of the public service of waste management by producers, while reinforcing its efficiency. On the other hand, it could potentially encourage companies to enter a circular economy logic in the design of their products thanks to instruments like eco-modulation, thereby favoring products with a smaller environmental footprint.

This position paper argues that the full potential of EPR has not yet been reached and producers are insufficiently held accountable for environmental damages they cause. It identifies the actions needed to improve the tool of EPR, making it a game changer for circular economy goals.

To make EPR a more effective tool for a circular economy, it proposes a number of concrete legislative measures:

  • Strengthen governance to improve transparency
  • Redefine PROs missions to go beyond waste management
  • Ensure harmonised principles on the fee structure and the eco-modulation
  • Address free riding especially the e-commerce stakeholders
  • Recognise mandatory deposit return systems (DRS) as part of EPR policy
  • Combine the potential of EPR with other economic policies

Download PDF

Share this publication

Other relevant publications

Circular luminaires in public spaces

This report provides a practical roadmap towards a circular future for luminaires in public spaces.

E-waste in household residual waste

Inventory of the quantity and different types of e-waste in residual waste for 2023

Dutch households and empty batteries

Annual survey into the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of Dutch households regarding empty batteries

×