From Manufacture to Disposal - Essay Example

The article, Junk bond, in The Economist, highlights a government initiative to pass on the burden of disposal of used goods to the manufacturing sector. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a law which holds the manufacturers responsible for the disposal of their products at the end of the consumer life cycle. This is a very effective cost-cutting measure for cash-strapped local authorities, particularly in the area of products which are difficult to dispose of, such as electronics, batteries, paint, car parts and pesticide containers.

Maine has become the first American state to enact a blanket EPR law, which covers all products, going a step ahead of other states which have product-specific laws. A section of manufacturing businesses are obviously opposed to the expanding ambit of the EPR laws, citing the resulting increase in the price of goods, which will ultimately be borne by the customer. However, proponents of the EPR laws argue that manufacturers will be encouraged to adopt new product design, incorporating greater longevity and recyclability.

The laws also reduce the burden on the taxpayer. Some companies have used compliance with EPR laws as an opportunity to establish their green credentials in a bid for consumer loyalty. A call from manufacturers for a uniform national policy on EPR is fully justified.