UNEP-IETC action on EPR: good practice emerged from EPR workshops

UNEP’s International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) advances Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) worldwide by fostering knowledge exchange and highlighting good practices from its global workshops. This document presents lessons learned on eco-design, social inclusion, regulatory convergence, and stakeholder engagement—core elements for effective EPR. Eco-design, as adopted in Argentina and Chile, encourages manufacturers to prioritize prevention, reuse, and recyclability in product design. Social inclusion, seen in Uruguay and Brazil, integrates informal waste workers into formal recycling chains, improving livelihoods and sector transparency. Regulatory convergence, exemplified by Uruguay and Jordan, aligns national and local frameworks for coherent waste management. Stakeholder engagement, as practiced in Saudi Arabia, ensures collaboration among producers, regulators, and civil society for robust EPR implementation. These insights support countries in adapting EPR schemes to local contexts, accelerating the shift to circular economies and sustainable waste management. Prepared by UNEP-IETC, this resource underpins global efforts for responsible production and consumption.