
Lynn Dyer, executive director at Ameripen at APR’s fall meeting on October 22, 2025. | Photo courtesy Tan Sackett/APR
Lynn Dyer, executive director at Ameripen, opened her presentation at APR’s fall meeting with a reminder about packaging policy.

Lynn Dyer, executive director at Ameripen at APR’s fall meeting on October 22, 2025. | Photo courtesy Tan Sackett/APR
Lynn Dyer, executive director at Ameripen, opened her presentation at APR’s fall meeting with a reminder about packaging policy.

The RecycleOn Oregon center opened this month in Ashland, the first of 140 planned for the state, in line with the state’s EPR law mandates. | Courtesy RecycleOn
Hard-to-recycle materials may soon find a new use in Oregon thanks to a first-of-its-kind recycling center now open there.

PackUK has begun issuing the first EPR invoices to packaging producers, outlining payment rules, penalties and next steps toward modulated recyclability fees. | 
Tartezy / Shutterstock
The administrator for the UK’s extended producer responsibility program for packaging has issued its first invoices to packaging producers, marking the start of a major shift in how household packaging waste is funded.

At PPRC in Chicago, industry experts warned that complex rules and demands will take years to refine as Oregon sets an early model. | Bob Pool / Shutterstock
At the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference in Chicago, industry leaders said extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging are changing how the US handles residential recycling, but warned that uneven state rules will slow the transition.

Production of film and flexible packaging is growing while recycling rates remain low. | K M Hargreaves / Shutterstock
While film and flexible packaging represent about 34% of the total US plastic packaging industry by weight, abysmal recycling rates are requiring adjustments across the entire system. Continue Reading

The Circular Action Alliance and Colorado are gearing up to implement the state’s new EPR law. | Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Editors note: Join us at the 2026 Resource Recycling Conference where we’ll dive deeper into EPR compliance and policy.
The group overseeing Colorado’s upcoming recycling system overhaul is moving forward with new plans to boost participation statewide. Continue Reading

The Lubricants Packaging Management Association became the first independent producer responsibility organization to gain approval in a state EPR program. | Air Images / Shutterstock
Although a designated producer responsibility organization (PRO) receives much of the attention for any state’s emerging extended producer responsibility (EPR) plan for packaging, independent PROs quietly address more specialized needs. Continue Reading

APR has unveiled a digital platform that evaluates whole plastic packages for recyclability and helps brands prepare for EPR and labeling rules. | Courtesy APR
The Association of Plastic Recyclers will launch a new digital platform to help brands and packaging suppliers evaluate the recyclability of entire plastic packages and prepare for policy requirements in the US and abroad. Continue Reading

Clean Harbors’ 2025 supplement shows 1.9 million metric tons recycled in 2024, a 31% gain since 2019, plus PFAS destruction capability and record financials. | Zimmytws / Shutterstock
Clean Harbors published its 2025 Sustainability Supplement and reported that recycling volumes reached 1.9 million metric tons in 2024, clearing a 2030 target years ahead of schedule. Continue Reading

Reverse vending machines are one component of some deposit return systems | Aleks333/Shutterstock
In an active year for legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution and waste, recycling stakeholders have a bevy of lessons to draw from, even with bills that have come under attack or didn’t quite pass. Continue Reading
