The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) has released a new report that highlights a critical issue for the waste and recycling industry: there simply isn鈥檛 enough standardized data to confidently assess whether Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies are achieving their intended environmental and financial outcomes.
Despite the growing adoption of EPR programs across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, EREF鈥檚 comprehensive literature review found that inconsistent measurement and a lack of transparency across jurisdictions and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) make it difficult to evaluate these policies鈥� true impact.
鈥淭he industry needs data, not assumptions, to guide investments and operations,鈥� said Dr. Bryan Staley, EREF President and CEO. 鈥淲hat this review makes clear is that better measurement, more transparency, and region-specific strategies are essential to understanding EPR and its ability to drive meaningful operational change.鈥�
While case studies suggest some benefits 鈥� like higher recycling rates for hard-to-manage materials 鈥� EREF鈥檚 analysis concludes that the lack of comparable, reliable data leaves many questions unanswered. Until those gaps are addressed, EPR鈥檚 true impact on circularity and operations will remain uncertain.