Circular Economy and Packaging: The role of EPR

The packaged goods supply chain has already made significant progress towards a Circular Economy, though there is potential to unlock further growth, investment and innovation with a harmonised and clear EU legislative framework.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to recycle and recover used packaging are established in most Member States. However, progress in packaging waste management and target achievement is uneven across the EU Member States and requires a coherent EU legislative framework for EPR to facilitate a smooth transition towards a Circular Economy.

This policy debate, which took place in Brussels on 23 April, brought together key MEPs and EU officials, high-level industry experts, municipalities and NGO representatives to exchange views on what should be addressed in EU legislative requirements for EPR for used packaging, which is a key policy tool to help Member States achieve packaging recycling and recovery targets.

The aim was to assess how EU legislation can contribute to better implementation of EPR for used packaging in the Member States and offer recommendations to EU lawmakers.