Here is Africa’s guide to effective EPR systems

From the newsletter

First published October 20: For a system of Extended Producer Responsibility to be effective across Africa, clear transnational guidelines are needed. The continent has now those. UNDP is promoting across Africa a Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) for PET bottles that was created in the Seychelles. Since 2007, the initiative has diverted more than 400 million bottles and was showcased on 15 October at the Africa Circular Economy Alliance meeting in Addis Ababa.

• The Seychelloise DRS makes consumers pay a small levy and earn refunds for beverage bottles, creating a self-sustaining EPR model that unites producers, consumers and government in circular responsibility.

• For African countries facing low recycling rates and landfill dependence, the Seychelles model shows that a simple, well-governed EPR system can achieve high recovery rates and long-term financial sustainability.

More details

• The Deposit Refund Scheme was launched to address growing plastic pollution from single-use PET bottles, which threatened the country’s landfills, coastlines and tourism- and fisheries-based economy. In the early 2000s, the shift from refillable glass bottles to disposable PET led to a surge in visible waste, drawing public concern and prompting government action.

• It was established as a public–private partnership supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the ISLANDS Programme, which promotes sustainable chemicals and waste management in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It began as a national system for PET beverage bottles before expanding to include aluminium cans in 2010 and glass bottles in 2018.

• Nearly two decades on, the scheme is widely recognised as a benchmark for implementing EPR systems. It achieves a 90% collection rate and recovers around 1,000 tonnes each of PET and aluminium and 300 tonnes of glass annually, diverting over 400 million PET bottles from landfills and the ocean. UNDP’s Director of the Chemicals and Waste Hub, Xiaofang Zhou, has described it as “a compelling model for others to learn from,” noting that “it offers lessons for SIDS and African countries aiming to scale up circular economy solutions, reduce marine and terrestrial plastic pollution and integrate EPR into national frameworks.”

• As a strategic benchmark for Africa’s emerging circular economy, the DRS demonstrates how government commitment, shared financing and operational simplicity can deliver environmental impact, financial sustainability and public trust.These factors are reflected in the scheme’s strong political backing and clear legal frameworks, which have ensured continuity, built confidence among private partners and maintained sustained citizen participation. Complemented by shared financing between government and industry, including seed capital jointly contributed by PET producers and the state, this governance and financing foundation has helped sustain the scheme over time.

• Operational simplicity and accessibility lie at the heart of the scheme’s success, playing a critical role in public engagement. Redemption centres are strategically located across the main islands, while straightforward, low-cost technology ensures efficiency and reliability. Transparent procurement processes attract capable private partners and align services with national circular economy goals, supporting cost-effective transport and recycling while avoiding monopolies or inefficiencies.

• These operational strengths are reinforced by strong oversight and accountability, with dedicated management, transparent accounting and consistent monitoring ensuring integrity and long-term sustainability. This management approach has made the scheme profitable and self-sustaining, generating between $1.8 million and $3.6 million annually to fund waste management, recycling and public awareness initiatives.

• Market connectivity also plays a key role. Revenue from the sale of PET flakes and aluminium to international buyers supports operations but exposes the system to price fluctuations. For African countries, developing regional recycling networks and building domestic processing capacity could strengthen resilience and retain more value locally.

• Another key success factor for the DRS is its phased approach to expansion, which has balanced ambition with capacity. Beginning with PET and aluminium before adding glass allowed institutions and markets to adapt gradually, ensuring operational stability and public trust. 

• Beyond environmental impact, the DRS supports livelihoods. More than 100 jobs have been created across redemption centres, transport and processing, while informal collectors earn supplementary income, linking social inclusion with environmental outcomes.

Our take

• The DRS is testament that, with political goodwill and effective systems in place, Africa can operate sustainable initiatives that promote circularity.

• Just as Seychelles acted decisively when plastic waste became a burden, African countries can harness innovation to tackle their own waste challenges

• The DRS shows how collective ownership can create financially sustainable circular systems, proving that collaboration can be more effective than relying on large-scale external funding.