Introduction If the world continues with the business-as-usual scenario for plastic production and use, global plastic consumption, plastic waste generation, and marine litter could triple by 2060. Projections indicate that half of all plastic waste would end up in landfills, while less than 20% would be recycled. The plastic pollution crisis has sparked a global movement toward a circular plastics economy—a system that shifts away from a take-make-dispose model with principles focused on eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials at their highest value, and regenerating nature. One policy approach gaining momentum to accelerate a circular plastics economy is extended producer responsibility (EPR). Under EPR, producers (manufacturers, traders, sellers) are held responsible for their products throughout the entire life cycle. This includes upstream interventions, such as choosing materials and designing products to have a minimal environmental impact, to downstream interventions, such as disposal, recovery, and post-consumer management. EPR is not new. As early as the 1970s, there were already producer-funded deposit refund systems for beverage containers, where consumers pay a surcharge on the product, which will be refunded once it is returned for recycling or reuse. In the 1990s, Belgium, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland were among the first countries to adopt EPR policies and systems. In recent years, more countries have adopted EPR policies and programs. Some EPR systems are mandatory, where governments pass laws that have incentives for compliance and fines and penalties for non-compliance. Other EPR schemes are voluntary, where companies have their own corporate social responsibility programs or governments release guidelines that are not legally binding. What are the benefits of EPR? By shifting responsibility for managing plastic waste from consumers and governments to the private sector, EPR delivers a range of environmental, economic, and social benefits: Environmental. EPR reduces carbon emissions by reducing the use of virgin materials and increasing recycling rates. It also reduces pollution and marine litter. Economic. EPR drives innovation in product design and sustainable sourcing of materials. It can create more job opportunities, particularly in product design research and development, recycling, and waste management sectors. EPR can also be structured as funding mechanisms—membership fees, penalties or allocated budgets—that can support waste management activities and infrastructure. Social. The success of EPR depends on the active participation and commitment of all sectors involved to achieve the targets set. Close coordination and cooperation are required, fostering collaboration and mutual support. EPR in Practice: Case Studies from Asia The benefits of EPR are becoming increasingly evident in Asia, where several countries have implemented EPR schemes with measurable success. India. The country released its EPR guidelines for plastic packaging in February 2022, with amendments made through March 2024. The policy mandates targets for collection, recycling, end-of-life disposal, use of recycled content, and selective reuse by brand owners of plastic packaging introduced in the Indian market. Implementation is carried out in phases until 2028. Philippines. The EPR Act was passed in 2022, targeting a 20% reduction in the plastic footprint of obliged enterprises—companies with assets over ₱100 million (about $1.7 million)—by the end of 2023. The target increases annually, reaching a cap of 80% by 2028. Obliged enterprises are required to work with producer responsibility organizations, which are independent entities responsible for managing the post-consumer stage of products and coordinating the submission and verification of data. Republic of Korea. EPR was introduced in 2003, initially covering 11 product categories and four types of packaging materials: glass, plastic, metal, and paper. Today, it includes 24 product types, expanding to different types of plastics, e-waste, and tires. The government launched the Korea Resource Circulation Compliance System, a comprehensive reporting and verification online platform for submitting compliance plans, reporting performance data, and issuing penalty notices. Over two decades, the EPR system has created 22,000 jobs, achieved an 87% recycling rate for products and packaging materials, and reduced an estimated 11.19 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Recommendations for an EPR Law In August 2025, representatives from around 175 countries will gather in Geneva, Switzerland for what is expected to be the final intergovernmental negotiating committee meeting to establish the Global Plastics Treaty, an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. A key focus of the treaty is scaling up financing to support its implementation. EPR could be an innovative financing model for countries to generate a stable and predictable source of revenue. It offers additional reasons for countries to consider developing or strengthening EPR laws. Drawing from the experiences of countries that have implemented EPR systems, an enforceable and equitable EPR law should include the following elements: Target setting. Laws must include measurable targets, supported by baseline data collection and standardized, transparent tracking systems. A digital platform, similar to the Korea Resource Circulation Compliance System, can support accurate reporting and verification. An EPR law could also potentially contribute to achieving targets in the Global Plastics Treaty. Financial incentives. A balanced mix of subsidies and tax breaks can ease the transition, while fines and penalties can act as deterrents. Plastic credits, an emerging tool similar to carbon credits, allow companies to offset their plastic footprint by purchasing credits to fund waste collection and recycling. In principle, this supports EPR goals by shifting financial responsibility to producers. Clear stakeholder roles and buy-in. Successful implementation requires engagement and commitment of all stakeholders, including producers, consumers, waste pickers, and governments. Clearly defining roles and ensuring broad participation will help build trust and accountability. Scalability. EPR laws should be designed with scalability in mind. India and the Philippines have EPR schemes that focus on plastics, but legal provisions should have room for expansion to other waste materials, such as e-waste, food waste, and textiles. By setting clear targets, leveraging technology, and ensuring multi-stakeholder buy-in, EPR can result in tangible environmental progress. Resources Ellen McArthur Foundation. “What is a Circular Economy?” Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 2022. Global Plastics Outlook: Policy Scenarios to 2060. OECD Publishing. OECD. 2024. Extended Producer Responsibility: Basic Facts and Key Principles. PwC Philippines. 2022. Highlights of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act. R. Guzman. 2025. Progress on the Global Plastics Treaty: Outcomes and Insights from the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. S.G. Singh, A. Chandra, and A. Biswas. 2024. Unpacking EPR for Plastic Packaging in India: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities. Centre for Science and Environment. S. Lim. 2025. Closing the Loop: Extended Producer Responsibility in Korea. Ask the Experts Anna R. Oposa Consultant, Asian Development Bank Anna R. Oposa is the marine conservation and circular economy specialist of ADB’s project to reduce marine litter in Asia and the Pacific. She has led several programs on ocean-climate education, shark conservation, and waste management. She obtained her MSc in Conservation Science from Imperial College London. Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. 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