How circular is your tyre: Experiences with extended producer responsibility from a circular economy perspective

The circular economy (CE) emphasises closing material loops to retain material value. The current practice of tyre recycling in the Netherlands, through a system of extended producer responsibility (EPR), appears an overwhelming success, with claims of 100% recovery. Yet, there is limited critical u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cleaner production Vol. 270; p. 122042
Main Authors: Campbell-Johnston, Kieran, Calisto Friant, Martin, Thapa, Kaustubh, Lakerveld, Dirkjan, Vermeulen, Walter J.V.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 10.10.2020
Elsevier
Subjects:
case studies
Circular economy
durability
Economics and Finance
Environment and Society
Environmental governance
Environmental Sciences
Extended producer responsibility
governance
Humanities and Social Sciences
interviews
issues and policy
Netherlands
Policy analysis
Political science
producer responsibility
product life cycle
recycling
Sustainability
tires
Tyre recycling
Netherlands
CE
EOL
ETRMA
EPR
Environmental governance
PRO
Policy analysis
PRP
EU
Circular economy
Extended producer responsibility
Sustainability
Tyre recycling
EC
ISSN:0959-6526, 1879-1786
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The circular economy (CE) emphasises closing material loops to retain material value. The current practice of tyre recycling in the Netherlands, through a system of extended producer responsibility (EPR), appears an overwhelming success, with claims of 100% recovery. Yet, there is limited critical understanding regarding the system’s circularity, considering alternative value retention options and resource recovery outcomes. This study analyses this Dutch tyre EPR system and reflects on how it can be improved from a systemic CE perspective. It uses a qualitative case study approach, using interviews and a review of policy, legal and EPR reporting documents. This paper assesses the governance of this sector and reflects on the existing system, including its circularity and value retention outcomes. Our analysis reveals seven central issues concerning how the EPR system currently functions, resulting in limited circularity and sustainability outcomes, despite high material recovery levels. To address these issues we recommend the continuous improvement of recovery and sustainability targets beyond a single product life cycle, a more transparent and inclusive governance system, as well as a greater focus on sufficiency strategies, e.g. design for durability and a broader transformation of transport models. This paper adds a practical understanding of the capacity of EPR to contribute to CE. •Evaluating an older circular economy practice to address emerging sustainability concerns.•Dutch EPR scheme for tyres achieves high collection and recovery levels.•Seven issues are identified, including transparency, monitoring and rationale for recycling options.•EPR systems must integrate greater value chain collaboration and continuous improvements.
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ISSN:0959-6526
1879-1786
DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122042