Effectiveness of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Policies in Managing E-Waste: U.S. and International Evidence

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies in managing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) across U.S. states and comparable international jurisdictions. Searches across multidisciplinary databases and policy repositories identified empirical and model-based studies evaluating collection outcomes, environmentally sound recycling, material recovery, environmental indicators, economic performance, and governance factors. Evidence shows that EPR implementation increases formal e-waste collection by approximately 25–30% and enhances material recovery efficiency, particularly key metals. Environmental benefits include reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and hazardous substance releases. Policy designs with strong enforcement, producer-financed take-back systems, transparent reporting, and accessible collection infrastructure demonstrated superior performance. Fragmented state-level approaches in the United States produced variable outcomes compared to more harmonized EPR systems internationally. Overall, EPR policies are effective, but their impact depends on policy coherence, enforcement intensity, and integration with circular economy infrastructure.