Extended producer responsibility
Overview
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a relatively new tool designed to reduce waste from consumer goods and its impact on the environment. EPR involves producers taking more responsibility for managing the environmental impact of their products throughout their life cycle.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development defines EPR as:
'an environmental policy approach in which a producer's responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of the product's life cycle.'
The aim is both to keep consumer products and materials out of the waste stream and to reduce their environmental impact. Manufacturers can play a role beyond the point of sale or warranty by, for example, designing products that produce less waste, use fewer resources, and contain more recycled and less toxic components.
EPR schemes have been implemented in many other countries and regions including Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.
How does EPR apply to NSW?
The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 provides for the introduction of extended producer responsibility schemes in NSW.
EPR schemes extend manufacturers' and suppliers' responsibility for their products to the post-consumer stage of the product's life cycle.
The Act encourages industries to take voluntary action to reduce the environmental impacts of their products. Regulatory EPR schemes will not be introduced where such voluntary reduction schemes have proved effective.
EPR preliminary consultation program
As part of the process of developing the first Extended Producer Responsibility Priority Statement 2004, DECC released a Consultation Paper on possible EPR schemes and invited the community to comment on them by April 2003.
Eighty-six submissions were received on the Consultation Paper from industry, community and environment groups, local, state and federal government, and individuals.
DECC has prepared a report on the consultation program, outlining the community's views on the key policy issues and on each of the nominated wastes of concern. The report also notes what's happening nationally and overseas in relation to EPR for the nominated wastes.
Download
Report on EPR Preliminary Consultation Program (reportepr.pdf, 399 kb)
Wastes of concern
Waste streams for focus:
- Computers
- Mobile phones
- Office paper
- Paint
- Plastic bags
- Televisions
- Tyres
- Agricultural and veterinary (Agvet) chemicals
- Agvet chemical containers
- Batteries
- Cigarette butts
- End of life vehicle residuals
- Other electrical products
- Packaging
- Polyvinyl Chloride
- Treated timber
- Used oil and lubricants
More information
Contact: Sustainability Programs Division.