EPR: The 411 on Extended Producer Responsibility policy

A. Great question. EPR is a system or regulatory approach where brand owners and material manufacturers (like SC Johnson) assume responsibility for collecting, treating and recycling their packaging after use. It is a big-sounding phrase for a pretty simple idea: if a company makes something (like a shampoo bottle), they are responsible for what happens to it after you have finished with it.

Because plastic is everywhere, and the current recycling system is not working. Even if you recycle everything you are supposed to, a lot of it still ends up in landfill – or worse, the ocean. That is because:

• A lot of packaging is not actually recyclable in practice
• There is no nationwide system for recycling in the US
• Cities are too underfunded and overwhelmed to properly recycle

A. With EPR, producers are pushed to design products that are easier to recycle, reuse or compost, which can reduce landfill overflow and waste. EPR can also help keep materials in the supply chain, thereby extending their use and reducing the need for virgin resources, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions. If producers are held responsible for operations and costs, they can help expand funding for recycling infrastructure, allowing more plastics to be recycled instead of going to landfill. There is even an approach called “eco-modulation” that incentivises producers to use recycled content and disincentivises them from choosing virgin materials. It is a key part of EPR.  

A. In short, more sustainable options for the products you use every day. With good EPR laws in place, you would start seeing:

• More products in refillable or recycled packaging
• Less confusing recycling rules
• More confidence that what you put in the recycling bin is actually recycled

A. We wish it were that simple, but it is not just a plastic problem; it is a holistic system problem. Glass and aluminium have their own recycling issues; sometimes, they take more energy to produce or ship. What matters is making sure that whatever material we use remains in use and is not discarded after a single use. EPR addresses the whole system, not just the plastic part.

A. Short answer: maybe. Long answer: it depends.
The responsibility shifts to businesses when EPR programmes are implemented, so companies will be required to pay more to design more innovative packaging and support recycling systems. Some may pass that cost on to consumers, others may not. But here is the hopeful part: EPR can create a level playing field, allowing companies to compete on innovative design and sustainable materials, rather than on who can produce the most at the lowest cost. In the long run, this could lead to lower costs.

EPR takes time to roll out. Think of it like building a better road system: it does not happen overnight, but once it is in place, everything runs more smoothly. Some changes may be immediate, such as new labelling or additional refill options. More significant initiatives, such as nationwide recycling improvements, could take several years. But the earlier we start, the sooner we all benefit.

A. Many places around the world either have or are working towards EPR programmes. A few examples: 

• Canada’s British Columbia has a province-wide EPR programme — and it works. Nearly 80% of the packaging there is recovered and recycled.
• Colorado, California, Oregon and several other US states have passed EPR laws and are rolling them out. SC Johnson is one of the companies actively pushing for this across the US.

A. Recycling is a process, whereas EPR is a regulatory approach. Both are key for managing waste, but they are not the same thing. Recycling can happen with or without EPR, whereas recycling (definitions, materials, etc.) is a foundational element of successful EPR. 

A. Glad you asked! You can:

• Sign petitions to support smart recycling laws (like EPR)
• Write to your representatives – they really do listen
• Buy products with recycled or refillable packaging
• Check your local recycling rules so you are not “wishcycling” (when we throw things into the recycling bin and cross our fingers that they are actually recycled, such as used pizza boxes or plastic bags) 
• Talk about it: tell your family, friends or share a post