Extended Producer Responsibility schemes in Small Island Developing States

Plastic pollution is a global threat to environment, human and animal health, and socio-economic development. In 2022, negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty started. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are one of the most important policies that are discussed in these negotiations and that have already been implemented in many countries. They shift the responsibility for plastic waste to producers, thereby putting into practice the prominent, yet often neglected ‘polluter pays’ principle.

This study explores the potential of EPR schemes to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in combating plastic pollution. Most importantly, the study outlines core elements and complementary measures of EPR schemes and, where possible and necessary, derives implications for an appropriate design of EPR schemes in SIDS. This also includes a discussion of the key challenges of SIDS in developing and effectively implementing EPR schemes as well as a roadmap for the preparation and establishment of EPR schemes.