Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility in Organizations: A Bibliometric Review

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an obligation for manufacturers to ensure environmentally sound management of their goods, even after they have been sold to consumers. Governments frame EPR rules for better waste management, and violating these rules may lead to penalties. This study aims to understand the intellectual structure of EPR and to define a framework of EPR enablers, which can help organizations devise strategies to manage their obligations effectively. The study conducts a bibliometric review of 749 journal articles published between 2012 and 2023 using the bibliometrix and the VOSViewer packages. The findings identify five knowledge clusters: EPR process and drivers; policy and legislation; consumer behavior and EPR; EPR and business models; and use of technology and science. Semi‐structured interviews with industry practitioners help discover prioritization among these clusters. Researchers and organizations can use these findings to take action and understand EPR from a more holistic perspective.