The legislation is intended to increase access to recycling, as only 58% of jurisdictions in the state provide access to curbside recycling. | Jeffrey-B.-Banke/Shutterstock
Just a week after Maryland became state No. 6 to approve a bill on extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, Washington made No. 7.
The initial recyclable materials list classifies just under a dozen material types as readily recyclable under Maine’s EPR program, but state representatives emphasized it was a first draft. | KWJPHOTOART/Shutterstock
More than 100 people showed up in-person and virtually to an informal stakeholder meeting on Maine’s draft material types list for the state’s extended producer responsibility program for packaging. Continue Reading
The proposed legislation would implement a deposit return system for beverage bottles and establish an EPR program for packaging. | Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock
Legislators in Rhode Island have introduced bills to create a bottle bill for the state as well as an extended producer responsibility program for packaging. Continue Reading
Maryland is poised to become the sixth U.S. state to enact an extended producer responsibility law for packaging. | Tokar/Shutterstock
A bill that would set up an extended producer responsibility program for packaging is sitting on the desk of Maryland’s governor after clearing both legislative chambers Monday evening. If it’s signed, Maryland would become the sixth U.S. state to enact such a law. Continue Reading
Advocates for the New York Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act held a press event on March 19 at the state capitol. | Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham/Tom Staudter
Lawmakers in a dozen states have introduced bills concerning extended producer responsibility for packaging, ranging from studies and tweaks of current programs to full EPR programs.
Producer responsibility organization Circular Materials is launching the first phase of packaging extended producer responsibility in Alberta, Canada, on April 1. | Sherif Ashraf 22/Shutterstock
Another Canadian province is rolling out its extended producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products. Continue Reading
Attendees ‘break a bale,’ learning about how textiles are sorted for recycling and reuse during a session at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference. | Big Wave Photography/Resource Recycling
About 2,400 industry professionals participated in the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference just outside of Washington, D.C., talking business in the exhibit hall and listening to sessions on textile recovery and broader plastics procurement and policy. Continue Reading
There are three extended producer responsibility for packaging bills active in Washington right now, and many more for EPR covering other materials. | Zack Frank/Shutterstock
Washington state has a handful of extended producer responsibility bills on the move, covering packaging, beverage containers, organics and more. Continue Reading
A needs assessment found that a well-designed EPR program could increase Maryland’s recycling rate for paper and packaging products from 34% to 50%. | Mihai Andritoiu/Shutterstock
Advisory groups in Maryland have shared a needs assessment and a packaging extended producer responsibility recommendation with the state legislature, finding that EPR for paper and plastic packaging could increase collection from 984,400 tons to 1.5 million tons. Continue Reading
An anonymous complaint asked California’s Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate Rachel Wagoner for a violation of a ban that prevents former regulators from receiving compensation to work against the state on matters that were under their purview. | Zlikovec/Shutterstock
A formal ethics complaint has been lodged against Rachel Wagoner, formerly the director of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery who is now with producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance. The complaint alleges that she is lobbying her former agency in violation of a state “switching sides” ban. Continue Reading