91ÁÔÆæ

A Comparative Analysis of U.S. States and Other National/Regional EPR Frameworks

This table provides a comparison of EPR frameworks in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and the EU. It highlights the differences in their legislative timelines and approaches, and methods of enforcement. This global perspective is crucial for understanding the context of the evolving EPR landscape in the U.S.

Criteria

EU

UK

Switzerland 

Canada

U.S.

Year of Introduction of EPR as a law or policy  1994, Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 1997, Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations  1983, Federal Act on the Protection of the 
Environment
1970, Beverage Container Recycling Programs  1991, State policies and programs 
Key Legislations
  • Directive 94/62/EC: Packaging and Packaging Waste 
  • Directive 2000/53/EC: End-of-life vehicles 
  • Directive 2012/19/EC: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 
  • Directive 2006/66: Batteries and accumulators 
  • Producer Responsibility Obligations 
  • Environmental Act 2021 
  • Collection and Packaging Reforms
  • Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations
  • 2005 Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste 
  • 2000 Ordinance on Movements of Waste 
  • 2000 Ordinance on Beverage Containers
  • 2021 Ordinance on the Return, Take-Back and Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment
  • 2001 Ordinance on the prepaid disposal contribution for glass beverage containers
  • 2011 Ordinance on the prepaid disposal fee for batteries 
  • 2011 Ordinance on animal by-products 
  • 2016 Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste 
  • 2024 Initiative 20.433: Developing the circular economy 
  • 2025 Packaging Ordinance (VerpV) On June 25, 2025, the Swiss Federal Council opened the public consultation for the VerpV, running until
    October 16, 2025. The ordinance is set to take effect gradually beginning January 1, 2027, allowing businesses time to prepare for compliance. 
  • 1970 Beverage Container Recycling Programs 
  • 1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act 
  • 2009 Canada-wide Action Plan for Extended Producer Responsibility
  • 2019 and 2020 Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste: Phase 1 and 2
  • State-level Legislations  
    Maine 2021 Stewardship Program for Packaging
  • California 2022 Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
  • Maryland 2025 Producer Responsibility Plans 
  • Washington 2024 Recycling Reform Act  
  • Colorado 2022 Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act 
  • Oregon 2021 Plastic Pollution and Modernization Act
  • Minnesota 2024 Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act
Key Enforcement Agencies 
  • European Commission 
  • Member State authorities 
  • Producer Responsibility Organizations 
  • The Environment Agency (EA) in England 
  • Natural Resources Wales (NRW) 
  • Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) 
  • Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
  • Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU)
 
  • Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment 
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) 
  • Ontario Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) 
  • Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA)
  • Recyc-Quebec 
  • Divert Nova Scotia 
  • Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba 
  • Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
  • New Brunswick Recycle NB 
  • Manitoba Department of Environment and Climate Change 
  • British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy 
  • Yukon Ministry of the Environment
  • Maine Department of Environmental Protection  
  • California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery 
  • Maryland Department of the Environment
  • Washington Department of Ecology  
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 
  • Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs)
  • Some examples include: Adelphe, Batribox, CITEO, Cyclevia, EcoDDS, ECOPAE, Léko, Pyréo, Der Grüne Punkt GmbH, Landbell AG, Interseroh
    Dienstleistungs GmbH,
    Reclay Systems, GmBH BellandVision GmbH, Zentek GmbH & Co.,
    KG, Veolia Umweltservice
    Dual GmbH, Noventitz Dual
    GmbH, PreZero Dual GmbH, Verpact, Nove Verde,
    Sociedade Ponto Verde (SPV) Ecoembes,
    Ecovidrio), Aspapel, Procircular,
    Consorzio Nazionale Imballagg or CONAI31
  • PackUK
  • No mandatory compliance yet, but sectors have set up their own recycling organizations.  
  • PET Recycling Switzerland for disposable drinks bottles 
  • IGORA & Ferro Recycling for aluminum and sheet steel 
  • VetroSwiss for used glass 
  • Swiss Recycling as an umbrella organization  
  • Circular Materials, Product Care Recycling, Call2Recycle,
  • EnvironFocus Inc., Landbell Canada, Ryse Solutions Ontario Inc., 
  • Eco-enterprises Quebec, The Quebec Association for the Recovery of Beverage Containers, RecycleBC, Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba  
  • Circular Action Alliance (CAA) in Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and Maine 
Producer Obligations 
  • Register with national authorities or PROs, submit product data, and pay applicable fees. 
  • Cover costs of collection, recycling, and disposal through compliance schemes or PRO fees.  
  • Partner with PROs or waste management companies to meet obligations. 
  • Incorporate sustainable design to reduce impacts and support circular economy goals.
  • Register annually with the relevant authority or compliance scheme. 
  • Collect and submit detailed packaging data through the online service by required deadlines. 
  • Pay waste management fees that support local authority services. 
  • Purchase PRNs or PERNs to meet recycling and recovery obligations. 
  • Label packaging clearly to inform consumers about recyclability.
  • Design packaging to be recyclable and resource-efficient. 
  • Take back packaging placed on the market and ensure proper recycling or disposal. 
  • Contribute financially to waste management, such as through advance disposal fees. 
  • Meet reporting and labeling requirements, especially for beverage packaging.
  • Register with the provincial authority and, if required, a PRO that oversees collection and recycling. 
  • Report the type and volume of packaging and printed paper placed on the market. 
  • Pay fees to the PRO, typically based on material volume and environmental impact. 
  • Meet recycling and reduction targets, often managed through PROs. 
  • Contribute to or participate in consumer education campaigns on proper recycling practices.
  • Register with the state’s PRO or pursue an individual compliance plan. 
  • Fund the collection, sorting, and processing of products through required fees. 
  • Report the types and amounts of covered materials placed on the market. 
  • Design products with reduced material use, higher recycled content, and improved recyclability. 
  • Meet recycling, reduction, and reuse targets established by state legislation.
To access the database and our full analysis, please get in touch with us for more details about the 
UH Texas Chemical Circularity Consortium