Maverick Musings #9

“Today’s problems are often the result of yesterday’s solutions” – Peter Senge

Hello, eco-warriors! ?? We are back with the 9th edition of Maverick Musings.

Have you ever wondered about the journey of everyday products after they serve their purpose? Where do they go once we decide we have no need for them anymore?

Much like how a book has chapters leading to a conclusion, the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) ensures that the tale of products doesn't end at the consumers' bins.

EPR is a set of rules and regulations that guides products through a responsible journey, even after they have served their initial purpose.

EPR is a policy approach that makes producers responsible for the post-consumer management of their products. The producers are required to take responsibility, either physically or financially, for the disposal or recycling of their products once they have been used.

The Extended Producer Responsibility policy, according to The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), entails:

• Reduced Waste: Producers are incentivised to design products that have a longer life, are reusable, or are recyclable, thereby reducing the amount of waste.
• Resource Efficiency: By being accountable for the end-of-life of their products, producers are more likely to innovate in ways that use fewer resources and create products that are easier to recycle.
• Economic Efficiency: EPR promotes the use of economic instruments to address the end-of-life management of products, which can lead to cost savings and contribute to the green economy.

This isn’t a futuristic fantasy but a pragmatic step towards reducing the waste that’s choking Mother Earth. The idea is to make sure that those who design, produce, sell, and profit from the product are also involved in minimising its environmental impact throughout all stages of its life, especially the end-of-life stage. EPR shifts the responsibility of waste management from the general public and municipalities to the producers themselves.

Example: A beverage company like Coca-Cola is supposed to take the following actions.

EPR Actions:

1. Design for Environment: Coca-Cola could design bottles that are easier to recycle, using a type of plastic that is more widely accepted in recycling systems, or shifting to biodegradable or plant-based plastics.
2. Collection Systems: Set up collection bins or centers specifically for their bottles. This could be at retail locations, distribution centers, or partnering with other organizations to establish a wider network of collection points.
3. Take-Back Programs: Offering incentives to consumers for returning empty bottles. This could be a deposit-refund system where consumers pay a little extra when purchasing the beverage and get that money back when they return the bottle.
4. Recycling Initiatives: Investing in or partnering with recycling facilities to ensure that a large percentage of the collected bottles are processed and converted back into usable materials. This could even mean setting up a dedicated recycling facility for their bottles if feasible.
5. Awareness Campaigns: Running marketing campaigns to educate consumers about the importance of recycling their products and informing them of the available collection and take-back systems.
6. Reporting and Transparency: Regularly publishing reports on the number of bottles produced, collected, and recycled. This showcases their commitment to the environment and allows stakeholders to hold them accountable.
7. Partnerships: Collaborating with NGOs, governments, and other companies to enhance the effectiveness of EPR initiatives, including research on innovative recycling technologies or community outreach programs.

Extended Producer Responsibility is a step towards making the world a better place. This policy nudges the market towards a circular economy, much like the one we explored in our last edition, where every end is a new beginning.

Next Stop: Advancing Your Green Skillset

Having skillsets associated to EPR can be a plus for young passionate sustainability professionals while they look for job oppurtunities. Some important skills are

1. Sustainability Analytics:

Understanding the life cycle of products, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, and identifying areas where environmental impact can be reduced.

How to Acquire: Participate in environmental workshops, and online courses on platforms like Coursera or edX, and intern with companies focusing on sustainability.

1. Regulatory Compliance & Policy Understanding:

Keeping up-to-date with local, national, and international regulations related to EPR and ensuring that initiatives align with these rules.

How to Acquire: Take law or policy courses focused on environmental regulations, intern with governmental environmental agencies, or work with NGOs that monitor and advocate for environmental policies.

Eco Headlines

1. International Energy Agency Unveils Hopeful Report on Climate Goals. The agency released a report on September 26, stating that the goal to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) is still within reach, thanks to the significant rise in solar energy and electric vehicle (EV) sales worldwide over the last two years. This increase aligns with the essential emissions reduction targets. However, the report emphasised that more work needs to be done: renewable power should triple by 2030, EV sales need to skyrocket to 70% of all vehicle sales (from the current 13%), and methane emissions from the energy sector must drop by 75%. It's up to the governments to take robust actions to further these positive trends as the world sees the next global climate summit in Dubai later this year.
2. Young Climate Warriors Take Governments to Court. Sofia Oliveira was just 12 when wildfires raged through Portugal in 2017, igniting her resolve to combat climate change. Fast forward to now, Sofia, alongside five other young Portuguese activists aged 11 to 24, stands at the threshold of a landmark climate case at the European Court of Human Rights, accusing 32 European governments of violating human rights through inadequate climate action. This first-of-its-kind case could push these nations towards slashing emissions and fostering cleaner infrastructure. Though up to 18 months away, the court's verdict holds promise as it may compel governments to ramp up climate measures, mirroring a successful climate lawsuit in the Netherlands. With the support from the Global Legal Action Network and a worldwide crowdfunding initiative, these young climate advocates are not just seeking justice but are also symbolising a potent blend of youth activism and legal pathways to demand climate accountability from the authorities. This case underscores climate activists' escalating recourse to legal avenues, setting a precedent that could resonate globally, nudging policymakers to align their actions with the dire urgency of climate science.

Youth Initiatives

Qudrat

Based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, brothers Rishabh Suri and Rohan Suri operate a start-up, Qudrat, which produces biodegradable tableware from agricultural waste like rice, bran, rice husk, and rice straw. In their late 20s, the duo aims to replace plastic tableware to prevent environmental pollution and safeguard stray animals from ingesting plastic. Qudrat's tableware offerings, including plates, bowls, cups, and straws, are crafted sustainably from agricultural waste, making them eco-friendly, biodegradable, and animal-safe.

Climes

Climes, co-founded by young entrepreneurs Anirudh Gupta and Siddhanth Jayaram , is a tech start-up that has partnered with notable companies like Zingbus and MakeMyTrip to offer a unique carbon offsetting option. Customers earn "climes," each representing one kg of carbon neutralised by paying a nominal extra fee. The funds are channelled to various forest conservation projects listed on Climes' website. With an impressive milestone of neutralising 13 lakh kg of carbon as of 2022, Climes embodies an innovative approach towards promoting environmental responsibility among travellers, making a notable impact in the fight against climate change.

Opportunities

1. The Open Notebook is offering a paid, part-time Early Career Fellowship Program for budding science writers and environmental journalists. Recipients will receive a $6k stipend and opportunities for mentorship, story development, and publication. Applications are open internationally until 31 October 2023.
2. Join the transformative YWC Programme offered by the Global Water Partnership and elevate your professional journey in the water and climate sector. Through international seminars, gain firsthand insights on water challenges specific to various countries, and partake in personalized workshops tailored to the programme's core themes via the YWC Curriculum. This open-source online course equips you with robust tools and cross-disciplinary skills vital for addressing our world's water and climate challenges, all at your own pace.

A few insights from our CEO

"Got to dive deep into conversations with some amazing startups that are not just talking about change but actively creating it at the London Climate Technology show. Each handshake offered a glimpse into a happy future."

Read more about the amazing startups working on solving the climate crisis.

Final word

In embracing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), we're not just reimagining waste but redefining responsibility.

PR is not a distant dream but a pragmatic stride toward a sustainability narrative where accountability doesn't end at the sale but extends to the tale of a product’s life and beyond.

As we unveil this edition, let's carry forward the ethos of EPR, envisioning a market where every product has a story that reflects the ethos of sustainability from inception to transformation.

The journey of EPR is about fostering a culture where products are seen through the lens of longevity and environmental mindfulness, cultivating a narrative of reuse and recycling. Through EPR, we're addressing today's waste and preempting tomorrow's challenges, ensuring a legacy of responsibility and resourcefulness.

Until our next edition, let's work towards being consumers and conscious custodians of the products we usher into existence.