An ELI/INECE Public Webinar
Despite the push for greater plastic recycling, less than nine percent of all plastic produced globally is actually recycled and only ten percent of that amount is recycled more than once. One of the key tools identified to reduce plastic waste, both on land and in the marine environment, is extended producer responsibility (EPR). EPR puts the responsibility for end-of-life product management on plastic producers, thereby incentivizing manufacturers to design products in a way that minimizes materials use and facilitates repurposing and/or more effective recycling. While only seven states have passed EPR laws in the United States, more than 60 nations have adopted EPR laws around the globe. Given that EPR laws are so widespread, there are questions about ongoing implementation and efforts to expand these laws further. The United Nations Environment Assembly established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. The Committee will be meeting this August in Geneva, Switzerland, for the second part of its fifth session, and EPR laws are sure to play a central role. Join this ELI/INECE webinar where we will look at compliance issues of EPR laws in countries around the globe, explore the options for EPR within the treaty, and give a brief update on upcoming treaty negotiations.
Panelists:
Mallory Anderson, Packaging and Paper Products Extended Producer Responsibility Program Coordinator, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Chochoe Devaporihartakula, Programme Manager, Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN)
Dr. Ryo Fujikura, Professor, Honsei University
Dr. Alexandra Harrington, Chair, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law Agreement on Plastic Pollution Task Force
Susannah Dibble, Staff Attorney, Environmental Law Institute, Co-Moderator
Lee Paddock, Visiting Scholar, Environmental Law Institute, Co-Moderator
Materials:
Materials will be posted as they are received.
The public will have access to a recording of this session (usually posted to this page within 3-5 business days). If you are not an ELI member but would like to have access to other archived sessions like this one, please see the many benefits of membership and how to join.