A new study commissioned by the European packaging value chain organization EUROPEN reveals that the effectiveness of waste management and recycling systems depends less on the level of producer fees and more on system design, governance, transparency, and data quality. Conducted by Veolia’s CIRCPACK research unit, the study assessed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems across all 27 EU Member States to identify the factors that contribute to higher packaging recycling rates and readiness for upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) targets. The research highlights four key pillars of successful recycling systems: minimizing material losses, ensuring robust reporting and monitoring, fostering circular markets, and maintaining transparency. Countries with detailed public reporting, format-specific recycling data, and clear regulatory oversight consistently outperform those relying on aggregated reporting methods. The findings also show that no single EPR governance model—whether operated by one or multiple producer responsibility organizations—is inherently superior. Instead, strong governance structures, transparent data systems, and incentives that reflect packaging recyclability are the primary drivers of success. The study concludes that well-designed, data-driven waste management systems are essential for helping Member States achieve ambitious EU recycling targets, improve resource efficiency, and strengthen the circular economy.
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