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’s a big-sounding phrase for a pretty simple idea: If a company makes something (like a shampoo bottle), they’re responsible for what happens to it after you’re finished with it.

Because plastic is everywhere, and the current recycling system isn’t working. Even if you recycle everything you’re supposed to, a lot of it still ends up in landfills—or worse, the ocean. That’s because:

• A lot of packaging isn’t actually recyclable in practice
• There’s no nationwide system for recycling in the U.S.
• Cities are 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 landfills. There’s even an approach called “eco-modulation” that incentivizes producers to use recycled content and disincentivizes them from choosing virgin materials. It’s 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’d start seeing:

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

A. We wish it were that simple, but it’s not just a plastic problem - it’s a holistic system problem. Glass and aluminum 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 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 programs are implemented, so companies will be required to pay more to design more innovative packaging and support recycling systems. Some may pass that cost to consumers, others may not. But here's the hopeful part: EPR can create a level playing field, allowing companies to compete on innovative design and sustainable materials, rather than 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 doesn’t happen overnight, but once it’s in place, everything runs more smoothly. Some changes may be immediate, such as new labeling 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 programs. A few examples: 

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

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 to 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’re not “wishcycling” (when we toss things in the recycle bin and cross our fingers it actually gets recycled, such as used pizza boxes or plastic bags) 
• Talk about it: tell your family, friends or share a post