The aim of this article is to identify directions for the reform of the waste management system in Poland in the wake of the implementation of extended producer responsibility systems. The Circular Economy Package adopted by the EU is supposed to become the factor that influences economic development, supports prosperity and increases the number of jobs. One of the tools implementing the circular economy concept is the principle of extended producer responsibility. In this article the notion of extended producer responsibility and its types classified based on the established criteria have been characterised. Special emphasis has been put on the analysis of embedding this principle in the theory of economics. The problem of producer responsibility in the existing Polish legal order has been discussed. As part of the reflections about the implementation of extended producer responsibility systems, the areas that need to be regulated and that are beyond the scope of the regulation of the EU legislation have been characterised. The suggestions for economic instruments to implement the extended producer responsibility system have been presented. This concept is optional. It assumes shaping the desired producer attitudes through development of the product fee system, and using tax preferences.