Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach that holds producers responsible for product management through the product’s lifecycle. EPR supports recycling and materials management goals that contribute to a circular economy and can also encourage product design changes that minimize environmental impacts.
EPR Programs that CalRecycle Oversees
Currently, CalRecycle is tasked with the oversight of statewide EPR programs for the following products:
Paint: The Paint Stewardship Program ensures that leftover paint is reused, recycled, or properly disposed.
Carpet: The Carpet Stewardship Program ensures postconsumer carpet is reused, recycled, or properly disposed.
Mattresses: The Mattress Stewardship Program aims to reduce illegal dumping, increase recycling, and substantially reduce local government costs for the end-of-use management of used mattresses.
Pharmaceuticals and Sharps: The Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship Program requires safe and convenient disposal options for pharmaceutical drug and home-generated sharps waste.
Packaging: The Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Program shifts the plastic pollution burden from consumers to the plastics industry.
Batteries: The Responsible Battery Recycling Program requires the establishment of a stewardship program for the collection and recycling of covered batteries.
Textiles: The Responsible Textile Recovery Act ensures discarded textiles and apparel are reused, repaired, or recycled.
For product-specific questions, contact:
For questions about the EPR Legislative Checklist contact: