Entsorgungsfreundlichkeit
Entsorgungsfreiheit refers to the legal principle in German environmental and waste management law that emphasizes the responsibility of producers to ensure the environmentally sound disposal or recycling of their products at the end of their life cycle. The concept is rooted in the idea of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which holds manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including their eventual disposal. This principle is particularly prominent in Germany’s waste management framework, where it is integrated into various regulations to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
The term *Entsorgungsfreiheit* is often associated with the German *Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz* (Circular Economy Act), which mandates that
The goal of *Entsorgungsfreiheit* is to shift the burden of waste management from municipalities and taxpayers
Critics of the system argue that it can place additional financial and operational burdens on smaller businesses,