The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has published its first position paper on extended producer responsibility (EPR), warning that any schemes being introduced must “not disrupt existing efficient” recycling markets.
The BIR, which represents more than 30,000 companies across the world, stressed in the paper that when and where 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”.
The association added that policymakers should first consider other instruments to increase circularity, 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.
Susie Burrage was appointed the BIR’s first female president earlier this year (picture: BIR)
Susie Burrage OBE, president of the BIR, said: “BIR supports policy instruments to increase circularity, but it is imperative that EPR schemes must not disrupt existing efficient markets.
“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.”
