How Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Helps Fight Climate Change and Promote Circular Economy

As global efforts intensify to combat climate change, policy tools that promote sustainability are gaining traction. One such impactful strategy is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)—a system that places the responsibility of post-consumer waste management on producers. But how effective is EPR in addressing the climate crisis?

This article explores how EPR reduces carbon emissions, promotes sustainable innovation, and supports the transition to a circular economy.

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?

EPR is a policy approach where producers are made responsible for the lifecycle of their products, especially post-consumption. Instead of local governments shouldering the cost and burden of waste management, manufacturers handle product recycling, reuse, or disposal.

EPR policies:

Encourage eco-design and sustainable manufacturing
Support robust recycling infrastructure
Reduce landfill use and environmental pollution

How EPR Supports Climate Change Mitigation

1. Reducing Methane from Landfills

Landfills, especially those filled with organic and plastic waste, emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. EPR policies help by:

Diverting organic waste toward composting or anaerobic digestion
Increasing plastic and packaging recycling
Lowering landfill dependency

2. Cutting CO₂ Emissions via Recycling

Manufacturing from virgin materials consumes significant energy and emits CO₂. EPR promotes:

Greater use of recycled raw materials
Energy-efficient production practices
Reduction in waste incineration and dumping

Example: Recycling aluminium saves up to 95% energy compared to production from bauxite.

3. Promoting Sustainable Product Design

EPR encourages eco-innovation through eco-modulated fees, rewarding manufacturers for:

Using recyclable and biodegradable materials
Minimising hazardous substances
Designing durable and reusable products

This reduces the product’s lifecycle carbon footprint.

4. Supporting the Circular Economy

By pushing for reuse, repair, and remanufacturing, EPR systems move us toward a circular economy, reducing:

Dependence on virgin resources
Emissions from resource extraction
Waste generation across supply chains

EPR Success Stories Around the World

European Union

The EU Packaging Waste Directive pushed recycling rates above 65%, with France alone avoiding 2.1 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions through packaging recycling.

South Korea

EPR policies for packaging led to a 70% increase in recycling rates and helped cut methane and CO₂ emissions.

India

India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules and End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) regulations are improving traceability and supporting national Net Zero goals through EPR.

Corporate Benefits of EPR in Climate Strategy

EPR is more than compliance—it’s a climate-smart business strategy. Companies benefit by:

Lowering Scope 3 emissions
Meeting ESG goals and gaining green financing
Enhancing supply chain transparency
Minimising repetitional and regulatory risks

Challenges and Solutions in EPR Implementation

Challenges:

Inadequate recycling infrastructure
Cost burdens for SMEs
Inconsistent enforcement and free-riding

Solutions:

Digital traceability for waste tracking
Public-private partnerships
Harmonised global EPR standards

Final Thoughts: Is EPR Effective Against Climate Change?

Absolutely. Extended Producer Responsibility is a vital policy tool for achieving climate targets. It reduces emissions, fosters innovation, and strengthens the circular economy.

To realise its full climate potential, stakeholders must:

Expand recycling and waste collection infrastructure
Enforce EPR compliance effectively
Align policies with long-term climate action goals

References

OECD (2001). Extended Producer Responsibility: A Guidance Manual for Governments
IPCC (2021). Sixth Assessment Report – Working Group I
EPA (n.d.). Sustainable Management of Materials: Aluminium
European Commission (2021). Extended Producer Responsibility
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India (2022)
Korean Ministry of Environment (2019)
Citeo & ADEME Reports (2023)
Plastics for Change (2023)