Extended producer responsibility

About: Extended producer responsibility is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1120 publications have been published within this topic receiving 26805 citations. The topic is also known as: EPR.

Analyzing Reverse Logistics In The Brazilian National Waste Management Policy (PNRS)

Abstract: In the last 20 years, the Brazilian population has increased by 30%, while the amount of waste has risen by 90%. This demographic expansion associated with an increasing consumption of disposable products has switched the type (quality and quantity) of waste produced. Currently, many municipalities are facing difficulties in finding appropriate disposal sites. As a result, waste management has become a national priority. In 2010, after been on hold in the Nation’s Congress for decades, the National Waste Management Policy (PNRS) was approved through formal legislation (Law 12.305/10). The PNRS represented a major political and judicial improvement, but, still, represents a major economical and operational challenge. The strategies for improving waste management in Brazil should include instruments provided in the PNRS. Extended product responsibility, which includes all supply chain stakeholders, and reverse logistics are two main instruments incorporated in PNRS. A postconsumption reverse logistics program is the most common strategy to make operational the extended producer responsibility concept. Usually, a reverse logistics program deals with a specific range of products requiring by legal enforcement to be: recycled; reused; remanufactured; finally disposed of; treated; or incinerated. An efficient reverse logistics program should stimulate producers to internalize all social and environmental costs, from cradle to grave, in their decision making process. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the costs and benefits of PNRS instruments in order to balance benefits (reducing social and environmental damages) and costs (keeping reverse logistics chain operational). Legislation is the most common instrument to change market behavior in order Sustainable Development and Planning VI 649 www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) WIT Transactions on Ecology and The Environment, Vol 173, © 2013 WIT Press doi:10.2495/SDP130541 to improve efficiency in returning numerous products. Even tough, reverse logistics has been successfully introduced in several national public policies; the instrument is still pending a further boost in the Brazilian regulatory system. This study discusses the strategies included in the PNRS.

Managing E-Waste in India: (A Review)

Abstract: The developing countries are facing a huge challenge in the management of electronic waste (e-waste) which are either internally generated or imported illegally as 'used' goods. E-waste contains hazardous constituents that negatively impact the environment and human health. Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the country. Growth of Information and Communication Technology sector has enhanced the usage of the electronic equipment exponentially. Faster obsolescence and subsequent up-gradation of electronics product, are forcing consumers to discard old products, which in turn accumulate huge e-waste to the solid waste stream. E-waste is growing in India at the rate of 10%, because of lack of adequate infrastructure to manage wastes safely; major recycling of e-waste is carried out in the non-formal sector using primitive and hazardous methods. These wastes are buried, burnt in the open air or dumped into the surface water bodies. We should have in place legislation mandating electronic manufacturers and importers to take-back used electronic products at their end-of-life (EoL) based on the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR). Adequate legislative measures and cost-effective, environmental friendly, technological solution would be needed to address the issue.This paper gives an in- sight into various forms and the quantumof e-waste in the Indian scenario, the source and the circulation routes, the nature and the amount of toxic and valuable constituents of e-waste, potential pollution threat to environment, re- cycling methods, efficient management techniques for e-waste, awareness of people and legal requirements.

Policy Forum: Should Extended Producer Responsibility Programs Use Eco-Fee-Included Pricing?

Abstract: Extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs shift the responsibility for the operation and funding of end-of-life waste management programs for a wide variety of problematic and hazardous wastes and products from municipalities and taxpayers to producers. With the exception of a couple of programs in New Brunswick and Quebec, which are described in the article, the majority of these programs are funded through the use of an eco-fee-excluded pricing mechanism. Eco fees are collected at the point of purchase and are remitted to producer responsibility organizations, which have the legal obligation to manage waste and end-of-life products.The use of eco fees that are visible to the consumer has been controversial in the environmental and waste management policy communities, where there has been debate as to what is the best EPR financial mechanism to encourage producers to internalize the costs of recycling and end-of-life management and to otherwise improve product environmental performance. The debate about the visibility of eco fees has parallels in the debate that has been explored in the pages of this journal (and elsewhere) regarding tax-inclusive versus tax-exclusive pricing for the goods and service tax/harmonized sales tax.The author describes the discussions in both the tax and the environmental fields, sets out a number of policy principles to guide EPR program funding, and contends that eco-fee-included pricing would support the primary EPR objective of providing incentives for improving product environmental performance. At the same time, eco-fee-included pricing would strengthen the shift of responsibility for program performance to producers and would be compatible with a number of other EPR program objectives. It is suggested that the failure of phase 2 of Ontario's Municipal Hazardous and Special Wastes EPR program in 2010 points to the need for governments to look more closely at the EPR eco-fee-included pricing mechanism and at the programs in New Brunswick and Quebec, and to be more prescriptive regarding cost internalization by producers.

Lease and service for product life‐cycle management: an accounting perspective

Abstract: Purpose – Previous research in lease finance and evaluation has given little consideration to environmental factors. The purpose of this paper is to add to the literature by analysing how leasing provides a more attractive option than selling and extended producer responsibility (EPR) in helping to close product life‐cycle loops, extend the useful life of products, and increase environmental benefits.Design/methodology/approach – This paper revisits the accounting concepts of asset depreciation, residual value and cost of leasing and proposes methods to incorporate these concepts into the “closed loop” lease and service mode for product life‐cycle management.Findings – For business, the “closed loop” lease and service mode changes asset values through the extension of the asset's useful life and in particular, the increase of the residual value of the product (i.e. recoverable value to the producer/lessor). Such changes reduce the cost of leasing to the advantage of both lessor and lessee. However, the ar...