BIR asks governments to avoid market disruption with EPR

The Brussels-based Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), a global federation that includes national recycling associations from about three dozen nations, has issued its first position paper on extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, calling for policymakers to ensure EPR schemes are designed in such a way that they do not disrupt existing efficient markets.

From its viewpoint, BIR says when EPR schemes are considered an absolute necessity, recyclers must be involved in the governance bodies of such schemes to ensure an appropriate balance of interests among the most relevant stakeholders in the value chain.

EPR systems initially were introduced in some jurisdictions to manage costs for the recycling of obsolete electronics and batteries. This decade, a combination of nongovernmental organizations and governments have developed EPR systems also for product packaging.

Within its paper, BIR writes that ownership of collected materials should be retained by the recycling company entrusted with the responsibility of processing materials so it can remain competitive and pursue continuous investments in the business.

“Furthermore, it is essential to have transparent and fair tenders and to avoid monopolies to comply with competition rules," BIR says. "BIR stands ready to engage with policymakers and authorities in their efforts to increase recycling rates and circularity.”

“BIR supports policy instruments to increase circularity, but it is imperative that EPR schemes must not disrupt existing efficient markets," BIR President Susie Burrage adds. "They should be set up only when there is a need, and only once the effectiveness and the intrinsic value of a material stream have been assessed.”

Policymakers should consider other policy instruments to increase circularity before introducing EPR, the association notes, such as making design for recycling mandatory and setting legally binding recycled content targets. “These measures can help to increase demand for recycled materials and level the playing field with extracted raw materials,” BIR adds.

“BIR stands ready to engage with policymakers and authorities in their efforts to increase recycling rates and circularity,” BIR Director General Arnaud Brunet says. “We believe that a well designed EPR scheme, when necessary and combined with other policy instruments, can play a role in achieving a more circular economy.”

The four-page position paper can be found here.