Submitted by: Submitted by acvrooman
Views: 393
Words: 628
Pages: 3
Category: Business and Industry
Date Submitted: 01/09/2011 08:19 PM
Introduction
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is defined as a policy approach in which producer’s responsibility, physical and/or financial, for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a products life cycle. EPR shifts responsibility to the producer, away from municipalities. As a policy approach, it provides incentives for producers to incorporate environmental considerations in the design of their products. (http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/epr_cap.pdf)
In late 2009 a Canada wide action plan for EPR, as well as a strategy for sustainable packaging was approved by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). A task group was created to help with guidance, development and implementation of this action plan. (http://www.ccme.ca/ourwork/waste.html?category_id=128)
The EPR Task Group’s directive is to identify opportunities which harmonize, make consistent, extend, and improve EPR programs; develop general guidance; identify and explore opportunities to build strategies for new initiatives, and to ease communications and information among jurisdictions. (http://www.ccme.ca/ourwork/waste.html?category_id=128)
In Canada, an EPR program specifically identifies end of life management as the responsibility of producers, such as brand owners, manufacturers, and first importers. Funding for EPR programs are provided by the producers, who have the option to internalize these costs as a factor of production or pass these costs onto the consumers. (http://www.ec.gc.ca/gdd-mw/default.asp?lang=en&n=FB8E9973-1)
Thesis Statement
Strict laws and regulations need to be put into place and enforced in regards to the recycling and reuse of the waste caused by the packaging of consumer products. Producers need to be held responsible for the environmental costs caused by this waste.
Rationale and Supporting Evidence
It is commonly known that the environmental effects of packaging go far beyond...