Examples of Change: Packaging EPR in Europe and Canada

Wednesday, June 1, 2016 (12:00-1:30 pm Eastern)

When it comes to recycling and recovery of consumer packaging, not all programs are equal. Belgium and British Columbia (B.C.) boast 80% recycling and recovery rates, respectively. In contrast, according to the U.S. EPA, the U.S. recycling rate for these materials hovers around 50%. In many European countries and Canadian provinces, extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging have been successful at saving governments money, increasing efficiency, and improving recycling rates. In this session, our expert speakers will explore how the Belgian and B.C. EPR programs work, and lend insights on the following questions and more: 

• What specific policies led to program success? What obstacles do these programs still face? 
• How did Belgium and B.C. transition their original programs from being locally controlled to centrally coordinated?
• What lessons learned can U.S. stakeholders glean from these programs?

Join PSI and packaging experts from around the world on June 1st to kick off the first of PSI’s 4-part packaging webinar series.