Exploring the Environmental Effectiveness of Extended Producer Responsibility Programmes An analysis of approaches to collective and individual responsibility for WEEE management in Sweden and the UK

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this work is to enhance the understanding of how different approaches regarding the implementation of EPR programmes may contribute to environmental improvements. In order to meet this purpose, the following research question is explored: How may different approaches to collective and individual producer responsibility, implemented and/or envisioned by stakeholders, contribute to the achievement of the environmental objectives of EPR programmes? This study explores how EPR programmes for WEEE are implemented in Sweden and the UK, and how different stakeholders approach collective and individual producer responsibility. It includes the Swedish EPR programme implemented in 2001 and the ongoing implementation of the WEEE directive in the UK. Data collection is mainly based on interviews with selected stakeholders in Sweden and the UK. The results of the study show that there is limited focus on prevention and stimulation of eco-design in both Sweden and the UK. This may be related to the uncertainties in how to implement individual responsibility in practice. Collective responsibility seems to have a larger focus due to its potential for achieving the objectives of increased recycling and reduced disposal.