A bill approved by California legislators has substantial implications for how common plastic packaging items are labeled, and it could have significant recycling implications across the nation in the coming years. | Feoktistoff / Shutterstock
Producers would need to meet strict criteria to use the “chasing arrows” symbol on their plastic packaging in California under a bill approved by lawmakers last week. An industry group says the move will harm polypropylene recycling.
Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature would classify mixed plastics that are generated in California and exported from the U.S. as “disposal” rather than “recycling.” | Sumrit Tesrumphun/Shutterstock
California lawmakers have approved a bill that would no longer allow scrap plastic that is exported to be considered recycled. The legislation now heads to the governor for final consideration.
The bill taxing virgin resin is just one of several pieces of plastics recycling-related legislation in Congress and statehouses this year. | Kurt Pacaud / Shutterstock
A national virgin resin surcharge would help improve the economics of using post-consumer plastic, according to a proposal introduced in Congress this month.
Oregon will establish a producer responsibility program for packaging, printing and writing paper, and food serviceware. | Jacquie Klose / Shutterstock
Oregon will overhaul components of its recycling system and will make packaging producers partially responsible for funding recycling of their products. It’s the second U.S. state to approve such a law.
Maine’s new law requires packaging producers to fund the recycling of their products. | Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
The governor of Maine has signed legislation establishing extended producer responsibility for packaging materials in the state. It’s the first bill of its kind to become law in the U.S.
Legislators in New Jersey approved recycled-content mandates for select plastic products. | Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock
A bill establishing minimum post-consumer recycled plastic use in containers and bags was approved by the New Jersey Senate last week. State lawmakers are also considering a bill easing regulations for chemical recycling operations.
Maine lawmakers advanced an EPR bill to the governor. | Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
Legislation creating an extended producer responsibility program for packaging has cleared both the Maine House of Representatives and Senate. It’s the first such bill in the U.S. to make it that far in the legislative process, and it now goes to the state’s governor for a signature.
Oregon lawmakers in both legislative chambers approved an EPR proposal. | Borka Kiss / Shutterstock
This story has been updated following a House of Representatives vote on June 25.
The Oregon House of Representatives approved a bill establishing extended producer responsibility for packaging and overhauling the state’s recycling system Friday afternoon. The bill cleared the Senate earlier this week, and it now goes to the state’s governor for a signature.
A substantial EPR bill is moving forward in the Oregon legislature. | Grindstone Media Group / Shutterstock
Bills establishing extended producer responsibility for packaging materials were introduced in a handful of states this year. Several have failed to gain traction, but at least two key proposals remain active.
An expanded list of beverages will be covered in Connecticut’s bottle-deposit program under a new piece of legislation on the governor’s desk. | alexs333 / Shutterstock
Northeast states advanced extended producer responsibility and bottle deposit legislation, but California legislators failed to pass a ban on e-commerce plastic packaging.