
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs are rapidly transforming waste management practices around the globe, and Canada is no exception. As provinces and territories continue to roll out and refine their EPR frameworks, several trends are emerging that promise to shape 2025 and beyond. Here are the top five EPR trends to watch:
1. Full Transition to Producer Responsibility
The shift toward 100% producer-funded and operated waste management systems is accelerating. Provinces like Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Ontario are making significant strides in moving from shared responsibility models to full producer responsibility. This trend ensures that the financial and operational burden of managing packaging and printed paper (PPP) waste falls squarely on producers, incentivizing them to adopt more sustainable packaging practices.
Globally, regions like the European Union are leading the way with their Circular Economy Action Plan, which enforces strict EPR requirements. In the United States, states such as Maine, Colorado, and California have implemented or are developing full responsibility EPR laws, signalling a growing commitment to producer responsibility across North America.
2. Eco-Modulation of Fees
Eco-modulation is becoming a key feature of EPR programs, with fee structures designed to reward environmentally friendly packaging choices. Éco Enterprise Québec is running its Eco-Design incentive program for a fifth year - offering a maximum credit of $60,000 for each eligible company. We hope to see more provinces using fee structures which reflect the recyclability and environmental impact of each material. This approach aligns economic interests with environmental goals, driving innovation in packaging design.
Internationally, similar strategies are being adopted. For example, the EU’s eco-modulated fees under its Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive are pushing producers to eliminate problematic materials and adopt circular design principles. In the U.S., California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act includes eco-modulated fees to encourage sustainable packaging choices.
3. Data-Driven Accountability
Accurate data reporting and verification are now cornerstones of EPR compliance. Provinces like Alberta and Ontario are requiring producers to verify the supply data they submit on an annual basis to ensure accuracy. Alberta's data verification requirement will begin in 2025, with Ontario's being delayed until 2027. This emphasis on transparency allows for fairer fee allocation and provides valuable insights for improving recycling systems.
4. Harmonization Across Jurisdictions
The growing complexity of managing multiple EPR programs across provinces has spurred efforts to harmonize reporting requirements, definitions, dates and compliance standards. National producers are advocating for streamlined processes to reduce administrative burdens, and provinces are beginning to respond. While full harmonization is still a work in progress, 2025 will see significant steps in aligning program requirements.
Globally, efforts to harmonize EPR systems are also evident. The EU continues to lead in creating unified regulations, while countries like Australia are working to synchronize EPR requirements across states and territories.
5. Inclusion of New Regions
EPR programs are expanding to previously unregulated regions, with territories like Yukon and provinces like Nova Scotia moving forward with their own PPP frameworks. Yukon’s program is set to launch in the fall of 2025, marking a significant milestone in extending EPR’s reach. This expansion ensures that more Canadians are covered by robust waste management systems and supports national sustainability goals.
In the U.S., the adoption of EPR programs in additional states is broadening the scope of producer responsibility, with momentum building for a more unified national approach.
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As EPR programs continue to evolve, 2025 is poised to be a pivotal year for waste management in Canada and beyond. The trends toward full producer responsibility, eco-modulated fees, data-driven accountability, harmonization, and regional inclusion are driving the next generation of EPR systems. For producers, staying ahead of these trends will be critical to ensuring compliance and contributing to a more sustainable future.
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