Written by Zero Waste Europe’s Founder, Joan Marc Simon, and published by Break Free From Plastic, this study critically examines 30 years of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Europe and around the globe, revealing its successes and limitations.
While EPR has mobilized resources for waste management, it has struggled to reduce waste generation, promote reuse, and ensure full cost coverage. The report offers a reimagined approach to EPR—one that prioritises waste prevention, fair compensation for waste workers, and transparent governance, aiming to make EPR a true catalyst for sustainability within planetary boundaries.
Key takeaways:
– While EPR has successfully mobilised resources for waste management, it has not led to a reduction in waste generation. In many cases, waste volumes and absolute environmental impact have increased despite EPR implementation.
– EPR systems have generally improved collection and recycling rates in those places where legislation has provided the right guidance, but have struggled to promote waste prevention and reuse or discourage waste disposal (landfilling or waste burning technologies).
– The implementation of EPR in the Global South faces unique challenges, particularly in ensuring fair prices for waste workers and integrating informal sector workers.
– Governance issues, including lack of transparency, compliance with guidelines and conflicts of interest, have hindered the effectiveness of many EPR systems in delivering the best environmental and social outcome.
Available in English.
In this open letter to Members of the European Parliament ahead of the hearings of EU Commissioner-designate candidates, a group of NGOs, EU organisations, and sustainable businesses calls out for stronger circular economy policies in Europe.
With the EU’s Circular Material Use Rate showing minimal improvement over the past decade, the letter asks for rigorous questioning of EU Commissioner-designate candidates on twelve critical areas, including binding resource reduction targets, improved Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks, a healthy circular economy, and circular taxation systems.
Available in English.
The EU’s current consumption of natural resources far exceeds sustainable levels, contributing to multiple crises including climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. This briefing addresses alongside a coalition of environmental NGOs by calling for an EU framework on resource use reduction based on sufficiency measures. This approach aims to align with 1.5°C decarbonisation pathways, reduce dependency on imports, lower energy demand, and strengthen EU competitiveness. The proposal suggests a material footprint target of 5 tonnes per capita by 2050, emphasising the need for sufficiency policies co-created with citizens. Whilst the EU has set ambitious environmental objectives, it lacks a coherent policy framework for resource reduction. The briefing urges MEPs to adopt a legislative initiative report calling on the European Commission to prioritise sufficiency approaches, which are increasingly supported by scientists, policymakers, and citizens as essential for meeting sustainability goals and ensuring a fairer, cleaner, and more resilient Europe.
Zero Waste Europe joined over 100 organisations in an open letter calling for EU legislation on Sustainable Resource Management. Signed by various NGOs, academics, think tanks, trade unions, and industries, this letter advocates that legislation on Sustainable Resource Management is crucial to address the challenges of global crises, and to ensure that the EU economy operates within planetary boundaries.
Available in English.
Now is the time to build an effective EU policy framework for managing materials – one that will accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy, support a strong industrial strategy, and make it easier to do business in Europe.
This joint report by Eunomia Research & Consulting, Handelens Miljøford, Minderoo Foundation, TOMRA, and Zero Waste Europe sets out the components of a regulatory framework that will:
– Harness the power of the Single Market and sustain its unity, enabling a fair and competitive system for all: business, industry, and consumers.
– Minimise administrative burdens for businesses operating in the EU.
– Support a fit-for-the-future industrial strategy that keeps Europe internationally competitive.
– Safeguard the bloc’s material security amid geopolitical uncertainties and price volatility.
– Consolidate Europe’s global leadership in circular economy and digital product policy.
Available in English.
White paper for an EU within planetary boundaries
Resource use is the big blind spot in the EU’s climate policy. 90% of global biodiversity loss and water stress, 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and over 30% of air pollution health impacts are caused by resource extraction and processing. We are calling on the EU to introduce a framework on sustainable resource management with science-based binding reduction targets. This policy paper, co-produced with eight other NGOs, outlines policy recommendations and arguments in favour of urgent action.
Available in English and Croatian.
The current revision of the Waste Framework Directive, which has guided EU policy in this area since 1975, offers an opportunity to design a coherent and consistent policy framework for a circular economy.
This white paper by Eunomia, TOMRA, Minderoo Foundation, Handelens Miljøfond, and Zero Waste Europe presents a vision for 2040, describing the way in which society will use materials and products in an economy that is well on its way to circularity. This sets the stage for the development of a detailed policy blueprint, supported by research and stakeholder engagement, for the steps needed to realise the vision.
Available in English
The European project as we know it is running out of steam and it is not capable of delivering on its objectives of peace, prosperity, and equality.
In order to stay within the commitment of 1.5°C degrees warming, the broken paradigm based on economic growth should be replaced with a new one. Our Manifesto calls on the need for building a new European project based on wellbeing, sufficiency, and resilience.