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Tag Archives: legislation

EPR and packaging-reduction bill introduced in New York

Published: May 11, 2022
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NY state capitol building.

The introduction of the EPR bill came after lawmakers stripped a prior EPR program out of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal. | Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock

An extended producer responsibility bill that has the support of environmental activists was recently introduced in New York, while a Colorado EPR bill moved to the Senate floor.

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California’s PCR crunch ‘just the beginning’

Published: April 20, 2022
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Empty PET bottles for recycling.

To meet California’s 15% PCR rate by 2022, U.S. reclaimers need an aggregate additional output of 800,000 tons of food-grade post-consumer PET and PE.  | monticello/Shutterstock

A report from Independent Commodity Intelligence Services found that there’s not enough post-consumer resin in the U.S. market to meet California’s mandates, and there are more state mandates coming on-line soon. 

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Q&A: Seizing the moment on recycling policy

Published: April 20, 2022
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EPR bills, proposed in a number of states, aim to improve curbside collection and more. | Jared Paben

Last year, Maine and Oregon each passed major pieces of recycling legislation that incorporated elements of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging, a strategy in which producers are mandated to fund packaging recovery in those states. Continue Reading

Why EPR for packaging failed in Washington state

Published: March 30, 2022
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Graphic showing cogs of rules, regulations, compliance, standards and policies.

Extended producer responsibility proposals have been discussed in several states in 2022. | EtiAmmos/Shutterstock

A Washington state zero waste group was engaging in “intense negotiations” on an extended producer responsibility bill this year, but the legislation stalled anyway. One advocate said she’s now looking at other states to help inspire next steps.

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Study: Modernized bottle bills boost redemption, save money

Published: March 23, 2022
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Bottle return at a reverse vending machine.

A study found that modernizing bottle bills in five Northeast states could create up to $160 million in savings to local governments and add up to $1.4 billion to the region’s economy annually. | Pazargic Liviu/Shutterstock

By updating older deposit return systems, states can create jobs, increase municipal savings and boost recycling rates, according to research from nonprofit Reloop North America.
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Conference panelists outline state of plastics recycling policy

Published: March 7, 2022
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David Biderman, far right, addresses the audience at the 2022 Plastics Recycling Conference | Brian Adams Photo

Interest in minimum-recycled-content mandates and extended producer responsibility bills is at an all-time high, but the reality of passing legislation is more complicated, according to industry experts.

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UN plastics treaty vote sparks support

Published: March 7, 2022
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United Nations flag flying against blue sky and clouds.

The United Nations Environment Assembly on March 2 voted to start a process that would create a global plastics pollution treaty, bringing a final treaty forward for a vote in 2024. | Doug McLean/Shutterstock

A recent U.N. agreement to create a treaty on plastic pollution has brought recycling, waste and producer responsibility issues into the mainstream discussion.

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