EPR UNDER THE POLICY FOCUS: REDEFINING PACKAGING WASTE AS A STRATEGIC ECONOMIC INSTRUMENT

 

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is emerging as a vital economic solutions for the modern era, transforming the “Burden of Waste” into “Tangible Value”.  As Thailand prepares to elevate its framework from a voluntary system to a legally binding regime by 2025, the policy aims to require producers to assume responsibility for 100% of the product life cycle.

 

Global waste management is approaching a critical turning point. The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), or the expansion of producer accountability, is no longer merely a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Instead, it has evolved into an economic infrastructure, with more than 63 jurisdictions worldwide accelerating the enactment of mandatory legislation to establish a sustainable circular economy that not only addresses environmental challenges but also generates economic returns for the business sector. Thailand is currently at a crucial transitional stage toward full EPR implementation, with several key developments warranting close attention, as follows:

 

1. Draft Sustainable Waste Management Act The Pollution Control Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is expediting the drafting of the Sustainable Waste Management Act, the core principle of which is to require producers to bear the financial responsibility for packaging waste management. The draft legislation is expected to be submitted for consideration by the Cabinet and Parliament within 2025. This law will fundamentally transform waste management from a system previously handled solely by local authorities into a shared responsibility in which producers play a central role.

 

2. “PackBack” Pilot Project by TIPMS The Thailand Institute of Packaging Management for Sustainability (TIPMS), under the Federation of Thai Industries, has implemented the “PackBack: Packaging Take-Back for a Sustainable Future” pilot project in collaboration with municipalities in Chonburi Province. The initiative tests a collection system for 5 categories of waste plastics, glass, paper, metals, and aluminum. Preliminary results indicate increased recovery of waste into the recycling process and a significant reduction in the volume of waste sent to landfill.

 

3. Challenging Statistics and Targets Thailand generates approximately 2 million tons of plastic waste per year, yet only about 25% is currently recovered for reuse or recycling.

• Roadmap Target: Thailand aims to recover and utilize 100% of targeted plastic waste by 2027, with EPR positioned as the primary mechanism to achieve this objective.

 

The arrival of EPR should not be viewed merely as an increase in operational costs, but rather as a structural transformation aligning businesses with global standards. Companies that adapt swiftly by adopting 100% recyclable packaging designs or participating in efficient collection and take-back systems will not only reduce regulatory risk but also gain a competitive advantage in global markets where ESG considerations are applied with increasing rigor.