South Africa's Extended Producer Responsibility
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South Africa's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) strategy is a comprehensive approach aimed at reducing environmental impacts by shifting the responsibility for waste management from municipalities to producers. This policy mandates producers, importers, and brand owners to manage their products' lifecycle, from production to post-consumer disposal. EPR encourages sustainable practices, such as designing products for recyclability and reusability, thereby promoting a circular economy. The regulations apply to various sectors, including packaging, paper, and electronic waste, requiring companies to pay fees per tonne of products placed on the market[1][2][3]. Key components of South Africa's EPR include the establishment of Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) that manage collection and recycling efforts. These PROs, such as PETCO and Polyco, work with informal waste pickers and large-scale recyclers to enhance waste recovery. The government has set strict recycling targets, and companies must report their progress annually. This framework supports the transition to a circular economy by ensuring that waste remains valuable and is reused or recycled, rather than discarded[1][2][4].
