Tag Archives: EPR/stewardship

Why material processors are hesitant about EPR

Published: May 9, 2023
Updated: May 9, 2023
by Dan Leif

Collection trucks parked outside of Waste Expo in New Orleans last week. In sessions, leaders from various haulers and facility operators discussed recycling policy. | Dan Leif/Plastics Recycling Update

At Waste Expo last week, executives from several materials recovery facility operators and private-sector recyclers detailed concerns about material ownership and “stranded assets” as recycling policy evolves. At the same time, some MRF leaders voiced clear support for extended producer responsibility frameworks. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation, markets, MRFs |

Colorado chooses brand group to lead EPR

Published: May 2, 2023
Updated: May 2, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

The Circular Action Alliance will serve to coordinate producer responsibility efforts around the recovery of plastics and other forms of packaging, as well as paper, in Colorado. | Konektus Photo/Shutterstock

In a big step toward implementing one of the nation’s first extended producer responsibility programs for packaging, Colorado selected Circular Action Alliance as its producer responsibility organization. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged brand owners, EPR/stewardship, legislation |

Calif. carpet recycling rate rises, Shaw signs deal

Published: April 4, 2023
Updated: April 4, 2023
by Jared Paben

Increasingly, companies and industry groups are focusing their efforts on recycling carpet. | Optimarc/Shutterstock

The California carpet recycling rate rose by about 5 percentage points last year, reaching a record high of 33%. Meanwhile, carpet manufacturer Shaw reached a deal to recycle about 2 million pounds of production scrap a year. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged challenging materials, EPR/stewardship |

New York lawmakers consider three packaging EPR bills

Published: March 14, 2023
Updated: March 14, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

New York lawmakers have introduced three bills that would make producers financially responsible for funding the management of packaging products at their end of life. | Josep Curto/Shutterstock

New York lawmakers are trying to make their state the fifth in the nation to pass an extended producer responsibility law for packaging, and some stakeholders feel like this is the year. Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation, plastics |

California seeks members for key EPR board

Published: February 21, 2023
Updated: February 24, 2023
by Jared Paben

CalRecycle is looking for 16 people to facilitate implementation of its landmark EPR law. | ksanawo/Shutterstock

California officials are accepting applications from industry professionals who want to advise the state as it implements an extended producer responsibility program for curbside recyclables.

Posted in News | Tagged EPR/stewardship |

Canadians weigh in on plastics labeling, registry

Published: February 21, 2023
Updated: February 21, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

Data gathering, policy and clarity in labeling are all recycling topics grabbing attention in Canada. | Daniel Fung/Shutterstock

A survey by the Canadian government found that stakeholders and citizens want better recyclability and compostability labeling. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged Canada, EPR/stewardship, legislation |

In My Opinion: EPR can shift recycling into high gear

Published: February 7, 2023
Updated: February 8, 2023
by Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership

Dylan de Thomas with The Recycling Partnership believes that EPR policies could help the U.S. achieve higher recycling rates. | vvoe/Shutterstock

The last several years have been a real roller coaster ride in the news for recycling, with the industry being called all manner of pejoratives, up to and including “dead.”

Posted in News | Tagged EPR/stewardship |

Connecticut governor pushes EPR, content mandate

Published: January 31, 2023
Updated: January 31, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

The governor plans to make his recommendations to the Connecticut Legislature during the current legislative session. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock

Gov. Ned Lamont is looking at extended producer responsibility for packaging, better organics diversion and minimum PCR requirements to help address Connecticut’s waste management woes. Continue Reading

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation |

Maine tapping stakeholders to draft EPR rules

Published: January 6, 2023
Updated: January 6, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

Maine’s EPR draft rules will go to the Board of Environmental Protection to begin the formal rulemaking process in December 2023. | Yurii Prohonnyi/Shutterstock

Maine’s governor signed an extended producer responsibility law for packaging in 2021, and the state is now seeking stakeholder feedback to guide the rulemaking process.

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged EPR/stewardship, legislation |

Senate hearing digs into plastic pollution

Published: December 16, 2022
Updated: January 3, 2023
by Marissa Heffernan

The Dec. 15 hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works brought four panelists together to answer questions from legislators. | Katherine Welles/Shutterstock

During a two-hour hearing, U.S. senators questioned industry experts about chemicals in plastics, marine plastic pollution and extended producer responsibility.

Posted in News, Top stories | Tagged chemical recycling, EPR/stewardship, industry groups, legislation |