In this case, the PRO provides financial support for actors responsible for managing products and waste.

These actors mainly comprise local authorities, which are in charge of collecting and sorting household waste, and operators in the reuse and treatment sectors. In return for handling these management operations, the actors receive financial support covering all or part of the costs incurred.

Example: The PROs in the household packaging and graphic papers and professional packaging EPR schemes operate in this way.

An operational PRO takes direct responsibility for product and waste management by signing contracts with specialist service providers selected following calls for tenders.

In this case, contrary to the financial management model, local authorities play a less central role and are less closely involved, as the PRO deals directly with the product and waste flows.

Example: The PROs in the batteries and electrical and electronic equipment EPR schemes operate in this way.

Some PROs combine operational management with financial support for waste management operations handled by third parties (such as a local authorities). They hence support the EPR scheme both operationally and financially.

This hybrid model may also be organised in the following way:

• The PRO selects collection and treatment operators via calls for tenders to handle operational management of the scheme.
• An ‘open window’ system also allows other companies to benefit from financial support, under the same financial conditions as those defined in the calls for tenders. 

Example: The PROs in the furnishing elements and lubricants EPR schemes operate in this way.