Fact Sheet
EPR for Packaging Fact Sheet
July 27, 2021
Issue Area
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Overview
Approximately 33% of what consumers throw in their trash each year is composed of product packaging. China’s recent and abrupt end to accepting these materials from the U.S. has left many large municipalities with increased costs and no end-market.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs put the responsibility for the end-of-life management of plastic packing on the manufacturers and brand owners, shifting the financial and physical burden upstream and away from the public sector or taxpayers. EPR for packaging is used in the European Union, Canada, and has passed in four U.S. states. These countries and jurisdictions have committed to help municipalities alleviate financial and physical collection burdens.
Key Facts
In 2021, only 5% of the 51 million plastic waste that is generated each year was recycled. 95% of plastics are eventually landfilled or pollute our water and air.
The U.S. is estimated to recycle only 50% of consumer packaging, whereas Belgium and British Columbia, both with EPR for packaging laws, boast an 80% recycling rate of the same materials.
An estimated 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enters the marine environment every year mostly through land-based sources.