Extended Producer Responsibility for Local Businesses in Circular Economy

As the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations gradually come into effect, local businesses in Mauritius are gearing up to embrace a circular economy. In response to this impending change, Business Mauritius, in collaboration with the Association of Mauritian Manufacturers (AMM) and Made in Moris, organized a conference under the Circular Economy Entrepreneurs Club.

This event brought together key stakeholders from the private sector, government, and experts in sustainable development and recycling.

The EPR principle mandates that producers of consumer goods are responsible for managing their products at the end of their life cycle.

This comprehensive approach aims to reduce waste production, enhance recycling efforts, and promote a circular economy.

Key speakers included Amandine Hardowar de Rosnay, Head of Sustainability and Inclusive Growth at Business Mauritius; Gregory Martin, a consultant from Mautopia; and Anya Dundoo, Project Manager at AMM and Made in Moris.

Also present was Christiane Albert, Secretary General of the Sustainable Industries Coalition and Green Association, who stressed the importance of EPR in transitioning to a more sustainable economy.

She highlighted challenges related to waste management, eco-design of products, and promoting the circular economy.

Amandine Hardowar de Rosnay discussed recent government announcements and expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between the private sector and government.

While emphasizing that much work lies ahead for the EPR implementation, she noted that a significant aspect of the budget is the classification of recyclers as manufacturing industries.

“EPR operates on the polluter-pays principle, ensuring that product packaging can be recovered in a virtuous cycle and reintegrated into the economy, preventing waste from ending up in landfills.

We’ve been discussing this within Business Mauritius and with the government for several years.

Implementation will vary by sector. We are starting with the electronics sector, and its stakeholders are ready to play their part,” she explained.

Caroline Rault of Business Mauritius further elaborated on discussions with the Ministry of Environment, revealing that eight regulations are currently in the works.

She welcomed the announcement that Sotravic, following a tender, will invest in and construct two sorting centers, one in L’Aventure and the other in La-Chaumière.

The government will provide household waste, and Sotravic is set to operate these centers, which are expected to be operational by November 2026.

Rault also discussed plans for a “verticalization” project in Mare-Chicose, which will require an investment of Rs 3 billion.

Anya Dundoo shared that the AMM is focusing on “consolidation, support, and amplification of businesses’ ecological transition.”

The AMM is targeting specific projects that lead to positive impacts, particularly those operating within the circular economy.

“We are working with our members on a pilot EPR project primarily focused on plastic packaging.

These companies are eager to engage in recovering plastic products, reintegrating them into circulation, or reprocessing them into secondary raw materials.

We also aim to enhance overall awareness and facilitate this transition through sustainable development training, including a special program for local brands that will start shortly,” she said.

The AMM’s overarching goal is to understand and capture waste flows among its members to redirect them to others who can process these materials into new products, averting their disposal in landfills.

Gregory Martin underscored the importance of establishing a locally focused circular economy. He noted that local entrepreneurs are ready to propel the country into this “new economy.”

“Waste management incurs a cost, but we can convert waste into revenue streams. This momentum is building, thanks to the efforts of Business Mauritius, AMM, and emerging recycling businesses in the country,” he stated.

Martin also pointed out that industrial players had not waited for regulations to begin their investments in recycling efforts.

“While recycling is beneficial, minimizing waste generation is even better. The AMM has funded an extensive eco-design program to produce more efficiently and thereby generate less waste,” he explained.

He is confident that the Mauritian industry can reinvent itself, stating that by 2026, source-separated waste collection will reshape the industry’s dynamics and enhance the nation’s resilience.

Source: Le Mauricien