cradle-to-grave responsibility

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach where producers are responsible for managing the disposal of their products after consumers no longer need them. This "cradle-to-grave" responsibility can be fiscal, physical, or a combination of both. EPR shifts the financial burden of waste disposal from governments to producers, encouraging them to design products for recyclability and to reduce toxic components.1

This approach aims to influence product design from the outset to improve end-of-life management. It addresses growing waste generation and the increasing costs and difficulties associated with waste disposal. EPR policies can lead to economic, environmental, and social benefits, including increased product recyclability and reduced pollution from waste disposal. Hazardous waste management, a related concept, involves the collection, treatment, and disposal of materials that pose risks to health and the environment.12