Speakers Discuss Extended Producer Responsibility

摘要

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is prevalent in Canada and Europe and it may be making its rounds into the United States as a possible solution for financing recycling programs. Three panelists discussed this topic at the Resource Recycling Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana, last month. "Packaging currently comprises one third of the Municipal Solid Waste stream. The cost of managing packaging [recycling] is falling on local governments," explained Kent Foerster of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There is a disconnect between packaging development and end of life management, he stressed. Demand for recycled content is growing, and yet, recycling markets cannot get enough supply. "The U.S. needs a stronger recycling and manufacturing base in order to create jobs and rebuild our community," said Foerster. This year, the EPA has held packaging dialogues, which is comprised of stakeholders from the packaging industry, all levels of government and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) to discuss sustainable financing of U.S. municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling with a focus on packaging and printed materials. The stakeholders included 10 CPG companies, two retailers, seven state governments, five local governments and six NGOs.