Locations: Central Asia (Ongoing)

Themes: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The Challenge

Since Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR was first introduced as a policy principle in 1990, it has attracted significant interest from policymakers and stakeholders seeking to reduce the environmental impact of manufactured products throughout their life cycles. This interest has grown even more as the concept of the Circular Economy (CE) gains momentum. EPR is viewed as an effective approach to internalizing environmental externalities related to post-consumption waste while simultaneously encouraging reduced material use and the design of more recyclable products. This is key to rapidly achieving a fully circular economy that aligns with the principles of the waste hierarchy.

Over 400 EPR systems operate globally, covering both developed and developing countries. Beyond the European Union, there are notable and progressive EPR systems in East Asia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam Southeast Asia, and India in South Asia, with other countries in these regions in the process of developing EPR systems. Central Asia too has EPR systems in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan while other countries are in varying stages of developing systems that suit their contexts.

As EPR systems in the countries are rolled out or attain maturity, there are many lessons to consolidate and share, and address challenges that affect the effectiveness of EPR. Some of these lessons and challenges include deciding on waste / material streams for EPR, roles of governments and administrations at different levels of governance hierarchy, obligations for brands and Producer Responsibility organisations, pricing, taxation, and investments in EPR infrastructure, material re-use and recovery, and inclusion of the informal sector.

Objectives

This Technical Advisory (TA), implemented under the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component, supports the development and strengthening of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems as a policy instrument for advancing circular economy and sustainable consumption and production in Central Asia.

Building on the outcomes of Phase I, which conducted in-depth assessments in five countries – Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand, this TA is implemented in the five Central Asian countries.

Way Forward

The project focuses on three interlinked strands of work:

• Capacity Development across Central Asia

Facilitating regional learning through the preparation of thematic policy briefs and delivery of expert-led webinars. This will help foster cross-country dialogue and inform EPR planning in countries at varying stages of readiness.

• Targeted Policy Support in Kazakhstan

Providing direct technical assistance to the Government of Kazakhstan to address structural and policy challenges in the national EPR system. This includes developing and validating a set of tailored policy concept notes aimed at improving EPR design, operational efficiency, and alignment with circular economy goals.

• On-Demand EPR Advisory to Interested Central Asian Countries

Responding to country-specific requests through rapid assessments, baseline diagnostics, and tailored policy guidance to support the initiation or reform of national EPR systems.

 

The project will promote regional knowledge exchange, support peer learning, and enable participating governments to transition EPR from a narrow waste management tool to a strategic policy instrument contributing to waste prevention, resource-efficiency, and low-carbon development.