Colorado’s extended producer responsibility for packaging program is slated to fully roll out in 2026. | AustralianCamera/Shutterstock
Circular Action Alliance submitted its initial extended producer responsibility plan to Colorado’s advisory board, taking another step on the state’s path to implementation. Continue Reading
Despite progress, producers are largely still not ready for approaching EPR requirements, industry players predict. | Josep Curto/Shutterstock
Editor’s note: Learn more about policy trends and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland.
With about six months to go until the first extended producer responsibility program for packaging in the U.S. goes live, producers are still largely unprepared but moving in the right direction, those monitoring the transition said.
Tennessee State Sen. Heidi Campbell is re-introducing a packaging EPR bill crafted to gain Republican and business support. | RebeccaDLev/Shutterstock
Editor’s note: Learn more about policy trends and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland.
A Tennessee lawmaker is reintroducing an extended producer responsibility bill for packaging – with some twists, in an attempt to get it through the Republican-controlled Legislature. Continue Reading
A recent study in California found that in 2023, 2.9 million tons of plastic were used in single-use packaging and food-related items, made up of 171.4 billion plastic components. | Marina Onokhina/Shutterstock
The recyclability and compostability of materials covered under California’s extended producer responsibility law for packaging got an update recently, as did the baseline for single-use plastic reduction. Continue Reading
Under Maine’s EPR program, signed into law in 2021, producers directly reimburse municipalities for collection and recycling of materials. | Yurii Prohonnyi/Shutterstock
Maine approved rules for its extended producer responsibility law for packaging, three years after becoming the first state to pass packaging EPR. Continue Reading
The third iteration of Oregon’s program plan had more accurate cost estimates, after Circular Action Alliance carried out a costing survey over the summer. | Nadia Yong/Shutterstock
Oregon moved its rulemaking process ahead for its extended producer responsibility for packaging law set to roll out next summer, and Circular Action Alliance also released its third program plan draft. Continue Reading
Pierre Benabides, technical advisor for the Circular Action Alliance, explained responsible end market verification and next steps during the APR fall member meeting. | DOERS/Shutterstock
Circular Action Alliance, which has emerged as the primary U.S. packaging producer responsibility organization, aims to increase PCR utilization with strategies including verification of responsible end markets, according to the organization’s technical advisor. Continue Reading
The APR market development committee discussed how to approach policy and PCR implementation. | Praethip Docekalova/Shutterstock
The key to implementing effective recycling legislation is to adopt a collaborative, regionally tailored approach, according to a policy expert at the fall member meeting of the Association of Plastic Recyclers. Continue Reading
The industry-led Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag conducted a three-month pilot project that implemented store signage, enlisted employees to help effect behavior change and included out-of-store marketing. | Photo by Nick Pizzolato
When retail stores encouraged consumers to bring their own bags or opt out of using one, nearly 5% fewer single-use plastic bags were used, according to a report from the industry-led Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag. Continue Reading
Global flavoring giant McCormick views incorporating PCR as low-hanging fruit in reducing Scope 3 emissions and values climate issues over competition, according to its chief sustainability officer. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
Meeting sustainability targets such as increased PCR content are not just the right thing to do but also essential for maintaining high performance, according to the chief sustainability officer at flavoring giant McCormick & Co.