Assessing the recycling performance of extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs: A case study of the steel can packaging recycling system in South Korea

Research on the extended producer responsibility (EPR) program in South Korea has been expanding since the program was first implemented in 2003, but no study has yet assessed the performance of the steel can packaging EPR program. The current study thus evaluates the performance indicators for steel can packaging EPR and assesses those factors that may affect its performance over a 13 year period. The findings indicate that the recycling performance of this EPR program must be re-evaluated because metal can steel plate manufacturers are not subject to EPR although they are also recycling steel can waste. The findings also suggest that the Ministry of Environment (MOE) formula for calculating the mandatory steel can recycling target rate fails to account for fluctuations in the market price of steel can waste, demonstrating the need to increase the contribution fee of producers obligated to recycle (POR) under the EPR system. Implications: This study has examined the various factors that affect the performance of the steel can packaging EPR program in Korea. This study shows that, future research and practice need to re-assess the performance indicators of the EPR program and revise the standards for the contribution fee of producers obligated to recycle (POR) depending on the market price of steel can waste.