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Tag Archives: legislation

California is back at the center of plastics recycling debate

Published: September 15, 2021
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Calif. capitol building in Sacramento.

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.

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California bill deems some exports ‘disposal’

Published: September 9, 2021
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export containers

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.

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Senator proposes 20-cent-per-pound virgin resin fee

Published: August 18, 2021
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U.S. Capitol building exterior.

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.

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Oregon governor signs packaging EPR bill

Published: August 11, 2021
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View of the Oregon captial building with greenspace in front.

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.

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Nation’s first packaging EPR bill is signed into law

Published: July 14, 2021
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Maine state house in Augusta.

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.

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New Jersey lawmakers advance recycled-content mandate

Published: June 30, 2021
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N.J. state capitol.

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.

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Maine lawmakers approve first-in-nation packaging EPR bill

Published: June 23, 2021
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The Maine state capitol in Augusta.

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.

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Packaging stewardship passes in both Oregon chambers

Published: June 23, 2021
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Oregon state flag.

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.

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EPR legislation advances in some states, stalls in others

Published: June 16, 2021
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Oregon state capitol building with state flag and blue sky.

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.

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Lawmakers make moves on plastics recycling-related bills

Published: June 9, 2021
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Reverse-vending-machine-aleks333-Shutterstock

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.

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