The truth about the applicability of REP in packaging waste prevention/reduction!

A new week in the July Without Plastic Campaign, respectively a new topic - The truth about the applicability of REP in packaging waste prevention/reduction!

Extended Producer Responsibility (REP)[is an essential concept for the efficient management of packaging waste. This analysis note explores a specific aspect of REP in the Republic of Moldova, namely the role and applicability of the REP mechanism in the prevention and reuse of packaging waste, with the aim of driving REP regulations closer to the principles of the circular economy and improving producer responsibility in relation to the huge amounts of packaging waste resulting from products placed on the market.

The non-profit organizations created and authorized by the Environment Agency for the fulfillment of REP obligations (hereinafter – collective systems) on behalf of producers, were created from the ground up to collectively meet the requirements of the REP, focusing on packaging waste management or more precisely managing the "end of life cycle" stage of products placed on the market by member producers of these systems.  This has been a reality for almost 30 years at the European level, starting with the introduction of the REP mechanism in Directive 94/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste.

What did we propose?

• Let's explore a specific aspect of REP (Extended Producer Responsibility) in the Republic of Moldova, namely the role and applicability of this mechanism in the prevention and reuse of packaging waste. The analyzed data are published in Analysis note developed by AO E-Circular.
• Let's drive #REP regulations closer to the principles of the circular economy, respectively improve the responsibility of producers in relation to the huge amounts of packaging waste resulting from products placed on the market.

Current reality!

• Although REP was created to reduce waste, current systems are largely based on the sale of high-value recyclables (PET, aluminium). Unfortunately, waste prevention is not yet a priority!
• National legislation does not provide a clear mechanism that would make responsible and stimulate the involvement of producers in preventing/reusing packaging, reducing over-packaging of products, eco-design requirements, etc., for which the practical implementation of these measures is lacking.

Informational material developed by the E-CIRCULAR Training and Consulting Center within the "Turn off the tap: Stop plastic pollution!" campaign. supported by the National Environmental Fund and the Swedish Embassy.