The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) will be running a free webinar on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programs worldwide at 9:30am CET (6.30pm AEST) on 14 March.

WPO is hosting this webinar as EPR for packaging is gaining global attention and adoption. This brings to the forefront the need to harmonise EPR across diverse regions, especially given the global interconnectedness of the economy and consumer packaged goods markets.

“There are many different approaches to the strategy, and many go beyond providing for end-of-life services to promote responsible product design, infrastructure improvements and market development,” WPO said.

“Effective EPR is often seen as a necessary piece of the puzzle in addressing the current recycling challenges and concern over single-use packaging waste. EPR schemes aim to encourage producers to change design at the start to ensure that the materials and packaging are truly recyclable and recovered at end of life.”

The intergovernmental Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) definition of Extended Producer Responsibility identifies two specific features: the shifting of responsibility for disposal ‘upstream’ from municipalities to producers and encouragement through incentives to make the design of products more environmentally friendly.

This webinar will seek to better understand what EPR looks like worldwide including the revised EU Packaging & Packaging Waste (PPW) directive, EPR legislations, eco modulation and other product stewardship programs that are working successfully.

EPR programs differ around the world and this webinar will help to show attendees how various countries and regions are working towards lowering environmental impacts of their materials and packaging and ensuring that it has packaging that is circular by design.

“By attending this session, attendees will be able to find out more about what is working and steps towards a more harmonised approach to EPR globally. The panellists will also share tips to improve EPR programs and discuss the barriers and challenges that they have experienced establishing an EPR program in their region,” WPO said.

The panellists include: European Packaging Institutes’ Consortium president Antro Säilä, Waste Management & Recycling Society (WMARS) vice-president Dr Priyank Arya and Recyda co-founder Vivian Loftin.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) executive director and WPO sustainability and save food vice-president Nerida Kelton.

All of industry is invited to attend.

Click here to register for this free webinar.