Extended Producer Responsibility and Circular Economy: Three Design Flaws

Vermeulen, Walter J.V.; Campbell‐Johnston, Kieran; Thapa, Kaustubh

doi:10.14512/oew370121

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Concepts of just transition (Velicu & Barca, 2020; Wang & Lo, 2021), just sustainability (Agyeman, 2008) and spatial justice (Soja, 2010), which advocate equality, justice, equal distribution and access, also guide this emergence of UPR. UPR proposes solutions to overcome the three EU EPR design flaws that hinder a CE transition identified by Vermeulen et al (2022). These flaws are (i) focus on efficient and lowest value retention option via downcycling, (ii) exclusive inclusion of actors only focused on recycling, and (iii) no consideration for multiple user phases, especially outside of the EU (Vermeulen et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…UPR proposes solutions to overcome the three EU EPR design flaws that hinder a CE transition identified by Vermeulen et al (2022). These flaws are (i) focus on efficient and lowest value retention option via downcycling, (ii) exclusive inclusion of actors only focused on recycling, and (iii) no consideration for multiple user phases, especially outside of the EU (Vermeulen et al, 2022). Unlike EPR, UPR (see Figure 5 and Thapa, Vermeulen, Olayide, & Deutz, 2022) incorporates multiple contextual realities of the UEEE and e‐waste value chain.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the EU's WEEE directive, EPR guides e-waste management and Nigeria aspires to establish one. However, existing EPR structures have been criticised for heavily focusing on recycling instead of various circular value retention options, for not being inclusive of circular actors and for producers not taking responsibility once the product is out of the national or EPR jurisdiction (Vermeulen et al, 2022).…”

Section: Transboundary E-waste Shipment: Challenges Solutions and Eprmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultimate producer responsibility for e‐waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

et al. 2022

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Used European electric and electronic equipment (UEEE) has multiple use cycles in various countries, including Nigeria. Although the EU-Nigeria e-waste trade is illegal under EU and Nigerian law, previous research shows that some imported equipment is only fit for disposal. Imported UEEE has a short lifespan. Such European e-waste exports imported to Nigeria have sustainability and circularity implications for both places and raise questions about justice and equity. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we identify existing practices and challenges in Nigeria and co-create actionable solutions towards a sustainable, circular and fairness-driven UEEE and e-waste value chain. We find current extended producer responsibility (EPR) does not focus on the entire global value chain, is linear, and lacks transparency, accountability, and consideration for spatial equity. To overcome these shortcomings, we propose ultimate producer responsibility (UPR). UPR aids sustainability and circularity transition while paying attention to justice and equity.The research adds global and social dimensions to the European circular economy (CE), otherwise primarily focused on national material cycles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Transboundary E-waste Shipment: Challenges Solutions and Eprmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ultimate producer responsibility for e‐waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

et al. 2022

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“…82 The goal was explicitly not only to make the producer responsible for the waste phase, but also to steer the design of products towards more circular design. 83 As opposed to ecodesign requirements, the EU has left discretion to the MSs to establish EPR schemes. Nevertheless, the EU itself introduced several mandatory EPR schemes, such as for electrical and electronic waste, for batteries and for end-of-life vehicles.…”

Section: Extended Producer Responsibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Plastic Pollution and the Transition Towards a Circular Economy: Lessons from the EU’s Legal Framework on Plastics

Boeve,

de Waal

2024

EPL

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Since the 1950s, billions of tons of primary plastic waste have been generated around the globe to date. Instead of the current linear make-use-dispose plastic economy, a circular plastics economy is said to be able to reduce plastic pollution in the environment. Recently, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution to forge a globally binding treaty addressing plastic pollution by addressing the full life cycle of plastics and by taking such a circular approach. A circular approach for plastics has already been adopted by the EU. Therefore, this contribution sets out some lessons that the UN Treaty can learn from the implementation of the EU’s circular approach for plastics. These relate to the restriction on placing on the market of certain plastic products, the introduction of ecodesign requirements and the establishment of EPR schemes. The EU legal framework on plastics shows that it is important to take into account the inherent interlinkage between not only plastic life cycle stages, but also between the different provisions and obligations, in order to maximize the contribution to and unlock synergies in tackling plastic pollution.

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“…Fees from such a scheme can be used to accelerate infrastructure and market development for mechanical and chemical recycling and stationary local resale (F5, F6).As a strong instrument of guidance and directionality (F4), an EPR can simultaneously address other key system dynamics showing deficits including coordination. With an EPR, the Dutch Circular Textile Valley could be transformed into a "circular value chain management organization"(Vermeulen et al, 2021) which represents both, trajectories and regions, and is lend power and mandate to delegate fees obtained from the EPR towards developing and coordinating the most critical components in the system. This can be accompanied by a comprehensive roadmap which couples targets to resource provisions thereby providing much needed financial certainties for the change driving system actors.A final consideration regards international guidance (F4) and coordination (F8).…”

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confidence: 99%

Understanding circular economy transitions: The case of circular textiles

2022

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The circular economy has been proposed to transform global textile supply chains which are currently challenged by a complex nexus of sustainability issues related to the dominant fast fashion trend. Research on circular economy in the textile sector often focuses on businesses or consumers as key enablers in circular transitions, yet it treats them as independent entities and thereby neglects the study of interactions that can provide insight at the systems level. The proclaimed “circular textile mission” in the Netherlands setting a national target for 100% circularity by 2050 is used as case study to address this research gap. We explore the circular textile transition processes found in the context of the Dutch mission and compare the development and interactions among various technical and non‐technological solutions produced by engaged actor constellations for assessing key factors driving and blocking the overall mission fulfilment. To these ends, we derive a theoretical framework based on innovation system theory and conceptualize the Dutch circular textile transition as a Mission‐oriented Innovation System (MIS). Analyzing the structure and functioning of the Dutch mission‐oriented innovation system, we show that (1) there is a good match between the formal Dutch circular textile mission and system actor perceptions; (2) system actors have formed structures around three dominant solution trajectories in the Dutch system: secondhand, mechanical recycling, and chemical recycling; (3) these trajectories expose distinct key virtuous and vicious cycles, which characterize (4) the entire system as formative. Overall, the secondhand trajectory shows most developed structures and most positive dynamics, chemical recycling carries most technological breakthrough potential, whereas mechanical recycling is a mature technology but lacks market demand and supply. We compare the three solution trajectories, discuss the disruptive nature of the Dutch circular textile transition, and suggest installing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a potential intervention for accelerating system transformation. The study concludes with reflections on the case learnings and considerations for further research on mission‐oriented innovation systems.

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Extended Producer Responsibility and Circular Economy: Three Design Flaws

Abstract: The existing system of Extended Producer Responsibility focuses on waste generation on the national level. To account for the international trade of waste and second-hand products the concept of Ultimate Producer Responsibility is a promising approach.

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Ultimate producer responsibility for e‐waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

Ultimate producer responsibility for e‐waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

Global Plastic Pollution and the Transition Towards a Circular Economy: Lessons from the EU’s Legal Framework on Plastics

Understanding circular economy transitions: The case of circular textiles

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