{"id":10747,"date":"2023-08-31T01:02:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T06:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meyers.com\/?p=10747"},"modified":"2024-02-08T09:08:17","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T15:08:17","slug":"epr-legislation-and-packaging-laws-us-vs-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meyers.com\/meyers-blog\/epr-legislation-and-packaging-laws-us-vs-eu\/","title":{"rendered":"EPR Legislation and Packaging: Laws in the US vs. EU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A producer’s job doesn’t end after a purchase. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation mandates that producers manage the end-of-life disposal of their products and packaging. In essence, producers must consider the environmental impact of their products once consumers have disposed of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s critical for addressing the growing global packaging waste problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 2000 and 2019, packaging contributed to roughly 40% of global plastic waste<\/a>. Surprisingly, non-biodegradable packaging grew by 15%<\/a> during the COVID-19 pandemic. These alarming statistics highlight the necessity for effective waste management strategies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2050, worldwide waste generation<\/a> is also predicted to reach around 70%, making it crucial for businesses and communities to prioritize sustainability and implement responsible waste management practices to mitigate environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EPR legislation incentivizes producers to use more sustainable materials and develop methods to dispose of and collect their packaging waste easily. However, specific EPR regulations differ among regions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article discusses the differences between EPR legislation in the United States and the European Union. It delves into how each region approaches the different types of packaging, the responsibilities of producers, and the recycling requirements producers must meet.<\/p>\n\n\n