An Overview of EPR
What it Means for North Carolina, and
What are Viable Alternatives
NC SWANA
Fall Conference
October 14, 2014
Jim Frey, CEO of Resource Recycling Systems
1
Providing solutions to
meet sustainability,
resource management
and waste recovery
goals of clients and
their supply chains
Extended Producer Responsibility
• Some governments outside the U.S. have used
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs
to incentivize material recovery
• EPR programs require those who design, produce,
sell or a use a product to take responsibility for the
package after consumers have used it
• Producers pay into the program, and funds are
used to manage the product’s end of life
• Most are funded by a per package fee
• Fees are assessed based on the amount of
packaging as declared by producers
Advantages of EPR
• Provides funding for expanded recycling collection
infrastructures
• Shares responsibility for recycling management between
government and private industry
• Builds alignment, framework and funding
• Builds a larger, more stable secondary materials market
• Minimizes disposal costs to local governments
• Encourages design of environmentally friendly packaging
Disadvantages of EPR
• Can be disruptive of well run public sector programs
• Industry concern for cost burden can compromise
program design in ways that might not fit local needs
• Public sector may lose some control over how recycling
services are presented locally
• Industry cost is passed on to consumers
• Mandates not popular in the U.S.
• Complex system to implement
House Bill 949: Market Based Recycling
•
•
•
•
•
Implements a producer responsibility program for
packaging and printed paper used by households
Each producer, or a group of producers, must submit a
recycling program plan for the collection and recycling of
materials
Establishes mandatory recycling rate of 50% by weight by
June 1, 2020 for all household packaging and printed
paper sold in NC
Mandatory recycling rate is 60% by weight by June 1,
2023
Producers are responsible for costs and may not charge
households at the time recyclables are collected
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EPR in Canada
• About 50 product
stewardship
programs
• Programs are
mandated
• An NGO typically
manages the
program
 Existing EPR for Packaging
 EPR for Packaging Under
Consideration
EPR in Europe
• Many EU countries
employ EPR
• Some mandated, some
voluntary
 Existing EPR for Packaging
Voluntary Producer Responsibility
Building Out for Maximum Efficient Recovery
MAXIMUM
EFFICIENT
RECOVERY
Public sector supports
industry VPR
campaigns with
effective policies
(legislation,
Voluntary
ordinances, rules,
producer
investments begin regulations, etc.)
to share responsibility
for recovery of post
consumer packaging
Public sector and
industry VPR+
efforts are extended
through voluntary
collaboration and
cross-sector public/
private governance
tools to jointly
fund and operate
recovery systems
Best practices in
recovery with joint
industry and public
collaboration on
programs, policy,
governance and funding
results in maximum
efficient recovery
Why do we need a voluntary producer
responsibility model?
• Provides industry an opportunity to help with
current recovery challenges and increase the
supply of valuable industry commodities.
• Provides an alternative to the patchwork of state
and local regulatory interventions that create risk
for producers.
• Offers a spectrum of potential entry points and
outcomes that maximize flexibility and promote
steady progress.
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Voluntary Producer Responsibility
Shared Collaborative Public/Private Recovery
An integrated solution
for a diverse marketplace
RRS Vision for VPR+/++
Best Practices Needed in 6 Key Areas for Recovery
Success
1
4
COLLECTION
Collect and
capture.
EDUCATION
Consumers
support
solutions.
2
PROCESSING
5
STATE LEVEL
Efficient
processing
multiplies
results.
Manage
the tools
for success.
3
LOCAL GOVT
6
END MARKETS
Local
action
creates
results.
Optimizing
material
markets.
RRS Vision for VPR+/++ Formula
Pushing Clients from Good to Great!
Processing
Education
Local and State
Policy
AMERIPEN-RRS
Financial
RRS Vision for VPR+/++ Formula
Supporting Initiatives to Boost Recovery
Recovery
Infrastructure
Education
Local and State
Participation
CARTS AND EDUCATION Processing
• Expanded access with rolling carts
• Maximize types of packaging materials collected
• Leverage hub and spoke models to drive supply
• Optimize MRF utilization, technology adoption, overall
capacity and efficiency of operation
Education
INCENTIVES AND EDUCATION
• Sustained incentive-type programs
• Targeted community based social marketing/incentives
• State Partnerships, CVP, KAB and Earth911
• Funding levels at or above $1 per household
Local
POLICIES Participation
AND AND EDUCATION
Government
• Unit based pricing programs
• Local recycling ordinances Engagement
• State level landfill bans/mandated recycling
AMERIPEN-RRS
Jim Frey
RRS/CEO
[email protected]
734.417.4415
@recycle_com