Montenegro’s shift toward extended producer responsibility is set to change how waste-management costs are distributed, moving part of the financial burden from municipalities toward companies placing products and packaging on the market. Under the emerging system, producers and importers can be required to finance the collection and treatment of the products and packaging they introduce to the market. The model would add new fees, contractual arrangements and compliance requirements across the retail and distribution sectors.
Packaging is expected to represent the most widespread category, involving beverage manufacturers, supermarkets, importers and food producers. Companies will need reliable records covering the quantities and types of materials they place on the market.
Other waste streams, including electronics, batteries, tyres and vehicles, involve more specialised collection and treatment requirements. Producer-responsibility organisations can pool the obligations of multiple companies and arrange collection or recycling services on their behalf. The new financing structure will affect companies differently. Businesses using lighter and recyclable packaging, supported by effective data-management systems, may face lower costs, while those relying on more difficult-to-process materials could incur higher fees.
Importers that have previously treated environmental requirements primarily as an administrative matter will need to maintain product-level records. This is also expected to create a role for compliance software and consulting services alongside the physical infrastructure required for collection and recycling. The principle of making producers financially responsible for waste-intensive products also links waste management with product design. Higher charges for products generating more waste can make packaging choices a direct financial consideration, potentially encouraging suppliers to use lighter materials, refill systems and packaging that is easier to recycle.
Extended producer responsibility therefore establishes a financing mechanism through which environmental targets are connected to identifiable companies, waste streams, fees and revenues. For Montenegro’s recycling system, the distribution of funding between producers, importers and other participants will be central to the operation of collection and treatment activities.
