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Recycling bins
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Efficiency and Performance of Packaging EPR Systems in the EU
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A Comparative Analysis of Different Countries and Market Structures

Paolo Facco; Richard Berner
2025, Berlin: adelphi consult GmbH
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Europe can recycle more, at a lower cost

Across Europe, governments are under pressure to deliver higher recycling rates at lower cost. A new adelphi study finds that countries can achieve both when producer responsibility schemes are built around four concrete design choices: 

  • Operational responsibility,
  • material responsibility,
  • full producer cost coverage, and
  • independent oversight are key drivers.

Competition, when well regulated, multiplies these gains.
Where Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) hold operations, materials, and costs and face fair competition, continuous cost pressure and innovation drive higher recycling at lower fees.

Efficiency and Performance of Packaging EPR Systems in the EU compares systems across Member States and finds these governance choices are the most reliable predictors of both recycling outcomes and price efficiency.

Key Numbers
80
Million tonnes of packaging waste generated annually in Europe
70%
EU’s binding recycling target for all packaging by 2030
€788
Average producer licensing fee per tonne of plastic packaging in 8 EU countries
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Paolo Facco

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Senior Advisor
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faccoatadelphi.de
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Richard Berner

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berneratadelphi.de
Glass recycling
Accountability provides the foundation, while competition acts as the accelerator. When PROs oversee operations and materials, and cover the full costs, countries can achieve higher recycling rates per euro invested.
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Paolo Facco
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Senior Advisor
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Join the official launch webinar

On Tuesday, 18 November, the study was presented in an official webinar. You can find the full recording below.

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