A systems approach to extended producer responsibility: Economic efficiency and environmental effectiveness for packaging in plastic industry in Norway

Abstract

This paper will, through a theoretical discussion of efficiency and effectiveness, present a model for a recovery system. The plastic packaging recovery system in Norway is described, and despite the lack of empirical data, the economic efficiency for the system will be shown and discussed, based on this model. A discussion will also been carried out on environmental effectiveness showing that the Norwegian plastic recovery system has to focus to a larger extend on the use of non-renewable resources and on the effects of loss of energy and materials to the recipients. In other words, it is strongly needed to analyse what is the optimum recovery ratio in an economic and environmental context. A positive element in the Norwegian system is, however, the focus on developing a market for the recovered materials.