International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

13.0 Producer Responsibility, Packaging -
International
13.1 Outline of Policy
A generalised description of this policy would be that it makes the companies that
bring packaging to the market responsible for its collection and recycling, though the
extent of this responsibility varies from one country to another. All packaging,
including retail packaging, such as plastic or paper bags and fast food wrappers can
be included in the policy scope. Occasionally, the policy also aims explicitly to
enhance both prevention and recycling of waste packaging.
The companies who typically have some form of obligation under the policy may
include those that:
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� Package products;
� Sell packaged products;
� Import packaged products (including raw materials and parts);
� Bring packaged products into the market under their brand name;
� Provide customers with a carrier bag, other bag or box;
� Produce carrier bags, other bags or boxes.
Typically, a producer responsibility organisation will be established through which
funds are directed from packaging producers to the organisations charged with
recycling and recovery. The fee companies pay to the producer responsibility
organisation is linked to the amount and type of packaging they introduce to the
market and may also be linked to the costs of collecting, sorting and reprocessing the
collected material, though this depends upon detailed implementation. The fee
setting exercise is typically carried out annually and reflects the cost of the operation
and takes into account the price received for the recyclates. In principle, the better
quality and higher the market value of the recyclates, the cheaper the overall fee
ought to become, reflecting the level of revenue generated by material sales.
Another key factor influencing the magnitude of the levies paid, and the level of
achievement of the policy, is the level of the targets set as part of the policy.
From a waste prevention perspective, there are three ways in which producer
responsibility for packaging can aid prevention:
� Reduce the volume and weight of packaging used (e.g. light weighting and
reducing excessive packaging);
� Increase the share of reusable packaging in the packaging market (e.g.
refillable beverage cans); and
� Reduce the toxicity of materials used in packaging (for example, heavy metals
in glass).
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes