Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for waste reduction

Published by Zero Waste Europe, 17.02.2026

The Circular Economy Act (CEA) could overcome the current limitations of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which prioritises waste management over more impactful circular strategies such as reuse and repair.

To drive real waste reduction, Zero Waste Europe proposes splitting EPR fees into two distinct budgets: one for waste management and another for waste reduction (supporting mid-level R-strategies). A temporary ‘transition to circularity’ fund could bridge the gap until detailed data is available to introduce specific targets.

Strong governance, transparent reporting, and legally binding targets are essential to ensure EPR schemes effectively finance and scale circular business models across the EU. 

Policy brief and infographic available in English.