The rise of electronic device consumption in Nepal has inadvertently created one of the nation’s fastest-growing environmental crises: electronic waste (e-waste). In 2023 alone, Nepal generated an estimated 42,000 tons of e-waste, growing annually by 18%. Given that more than 95% of this waste is currently processed by the informal sector using unsafe and environmentally detrimental methods—including burning and acid leaching—the urgent introduction of stringent regulations is inevitable.
The
policy approach chosen to address this crisis is Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR). EPR is an environmental policy approach that mandates
that the financial and physical responsibility for a product be extended to its
post-consumer stage, essentially holding manufacturers (Producers, Importers,
and Brand Owners, or PIBOs) accountable for the end-of-life management of the
goods they introduce to the market.
For
PIBOs operating within Nepal, EPR marks a fundamental shift, moving the burden
of waste management away from local government and integrating the costs of
recycling, collection, and safe disposal directly into the production and
distribution chain. This guide provides a detailed overview of the core
compliance mandates, financial obligations, and systemic responsibilities PIBOs
must prepare for under Nepal’s proposed mandatory EPR framework.
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