Trends in Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility in the United States and Canada

Navigate the complexities of packaging EPR in Canada and the U.S.

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an economic model designed to make producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, from design to disposal, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. EPR legislation is sweeping across the United States (U.S.) and has been established in Canada for over 20 years.

Different types of producers — which include manufacturers, brand owners, importers, distributors and retailers — have specific obligations, including reporting data and paying fees for the collection and recycling of their products.

This white paper, Trends in Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility in the United States and Canada, focuses on packaging EPR regulations that typically cover materials (e.g., plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, and metal) used in product packaging as well as packaging used for transport. However, EPR programs cover a wide variety of materials including textiles, automotive products, pharmaceuticals and electronics.