The Need for EPR in Addressing the Plastic Waste Crisis EPR: The plastic waste crisis is one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. Every year, the world produces over 300 million tons of plastic, much of which ends up polluting our oceans, landfills, and natural habitats. The long lifespan of plastic means that much of this waste remains in the environment for hundreds of years, causing irreparable damage to ecosystems and wildlife.