Comparative Analysis of EPR Regulations and End Market Management for Packaging Materials

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has emerged as a key policy tool in managing packaging waste, shifting the responsibility of waste collection, sorting, and recycling from municipalities to producers. While EPR systems have been widely implemented, a critical gap in many regulations is the lack of end-market tracking, which ensures that materials reported as “recycled” are genuinely repurposed rather than landfilled or incinerated due to contamination. This study analyzes packaging EPR regulations across multiple jurisdictions to determine whether and how countries track materials beyond the initial sorting stage and identifies additional regulatory measures that indirectly strengthen responsible waste management. 

The results show that six jurisdictions (Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States (Maine), and Japan) have explicit end-market tracking measures. Even where such measures are absent, most other jurisdictions implement complementary policies, such as product design standards, producer incentives, and compliance mechanisms, to enhance recycling integrity. There are slight differences in the implementation of these measures across jurisdictions, affecting the effectiveness. However, Denmark and Canada (Ontario) lack both explicit end-market tracking and significant additional recovery measures. 

By comparing global best practices, this study highlights the importance of integrating end market tracking within EPR frameworks to improve transparency, accountability, and material recovery rates. Strengthening these policies can prevent recyclable materials from being discarded post-collection and contribute to a circular economy. The findings highlight the need for more comprehensive tracking mechanisms to ensure that reported recycling rates reflect actual material recovery, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of EPR systems in achieving sustainability goals.