EPR Economic Benefits

When EPR legislation is implemented, local governments realize big monetary savings, jobs are created, recycling becomes more convenient for residents, and carbon dioxide is reduced.

CalRecycle Compiles the Data

We have collected a few examples of the benefits of EPR on this page to give you a glimpse of the possibilities.  But to find significant amounts of data, visit CalRecycle.  There you can see case studies of individual products, job creation information, economic reports and tools for measuring the impacts of EPR programs.

EPR Framework Multi-Program Savings

The following examples highlight benefits from implementing EPR framework that acts as an umbrella over numerous specific product EPR programs.

In British Columbia Province (pop. 4,400,000)

• 2,100 full time jobs generated by programs for beverage containers, tires, electronics, and used oil.
• Over 121,000 tonnes of solid materials were recycled or otherwise managed in 2007 with glass, tires and plastic accounting for about 90% of this material.
• Over 51 million litres of used oil, solvents, flammables, pesticides and gasoline were collected and responsibly managed within the industry product stewardship programs.
• Increased recycling of products reduced roughly 267,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E) and saved 5.3 million gigajoules of energy relative to land filling. Aluminium cans and tires account for about 82% of these reductions. 
• Reduced landfill costs, avoided contamination, and avoided subsequent clean-up costs from improperly disposed products.
  • Download fact sheet - Full Report
• In Metro Vancouver, British Columbia  (pop. 2,524,000)
  • Metro Vancouver previously paid for collection services, but now the cost has been transferred to producers and manufactures, resulting in:
  • $6.4 million - annual savings to the local government for collection of paint, solvents, pesticides, solvents, used oil/filters/containers, and medications (does not include savings from electronics, tires or beverage containers).
  • [Source: Monica Kosmak, Policy Analyst for Metro Vancouver]
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Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Program Savings

Showing the savings realized by local governments when they implemented electronic waste (e-waste) programs.  E-waste programs reroute electronics out of the landfill and onto alternative recycling and reuse avenues.

• Snohomish County, WA (pop 677,000)
  • Previously Snohomish County operated electronics recycling programs, paid for with taxpayer or ratepayer money.  By requiring electronics manufacturers to pay for the costs of collecting and recycling TVs, computers, laptops and monitors, they are able to save:
    • $550,000 per year
    • $380,000 per year hauling and processing electronic equipment
    • $170,000 per year collection cost at three transfer stations
  • Plus, opened an additional 12 collection sites established in the County that are not run or paid for by the County.
  • Download fact sheet

     

• Minnesota Product Stewardship Study
  • Hennepin County, MN (pop. 1,137,000)
    • Cost savings of $681,982 realized during the first program year of the Minnesota Electronics Recycling Act.
  • St. Louis County, MN (pop. 197,000)
    • Cost savings of approximately $90,000 during the first program year of the e-waste law.
    • As the result of agreements with manufacturers, the county was able to decrease drop-off fees by 80% for consumers, from $8-12 per item to $1-2 per item.
  • Download report: MN Product Stewardship Recommendations (Jan 2009)