An Analysis of the Implementation of the Extender Producer Responsibility Scheme in Achieving Waste Management Objectives in Croatia

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Croatia’s Extended Producer Responsibility system in achieving national waste management goals. EPR shifts post-consumer waste responsibility from municipalities to producers, supporting the polluter-pays principle and circular economy. Croatia applies EPR to six categories: packaging, ELVs, WEEE, batteries, oils, and tyres. Using a mixed-effects panel data model with monthly data from 2015–2024, the study examines the impact of producer fees, fund investments, and household consumption on waste treatment volumes. Results show that both fees and investments significantly increase treated waste, while higher consumption correlates negatively, indicating infrastructure strain. The analysis aligns with broader European research and highlights Croatia’s success in meeting EU targets for packaging, ELVs, and batteries. However, challenges remain in fee alignment and managing complex waste streams like WEEE and oils. The paper concludes with recommendations to refine financial mechanisms and improve