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Tag Archives: EPR/Stewardship

New momentum for reuse as policy talks expand

Published: October 14, 2025
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At Washington’s Common Threads forum, Rachel Kibbe urged states to exempt secondhand purchases from sales tax to boost reuse and build recycling markets as EPR proposals advance. | Ernest-Rose/Shutterstock

Editors note: Join us at the 2026 Resource Recycling Conference where we’ll dive deeper into the topic of reuse.

At a recent Washington Department of Ecology webinar focused on how policy can shift fashion toward reuse, circular-economy advocate Rachel Kibbe argued that a targeted tax change could make secondhand purchases more affordable while helping states prepare for new recycling rules. Continue Reading

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Study maps barriers to firms’ supply chain climate goals

Published: October 14, 2025
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Although the study from MIT addressed broader climate-related goals, the results provided insight into what drives companies to pursue sustainability initiatives. | Tada Images/Shutterstock

Key Takeaways:

  • Making climate goals public encourages follow-through
  • Supplier opacity, unclear calculations hinder Scope 3 reporting 
  • Global company targets resist shifts in policy

Publicly articulating clear sustainability goals helps ensure company follow-through, according to an annual supply chain study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Continue Reading

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Colorado approval signals path forward for PRO choice

Published: October 6, 2025
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The Lubricants Packaging Management Association became the first independent producer responsibility organization to gain approval in a state EPR program. | Air Images / Shutterstock

Although a designated producer responsibility organization (PRO) receives much of the attention for any state’s emerging extended producer responsibility (EPR) plan for packaging, independent PROs quietly address more specialized needs. Continue Reading

Casella marks gains, hurdles in 2025 progress report

Published: September 30, 2025
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Based in Vermont, Casella Waste Systems said efficiency improvements, customer partnerships and investment in infrastructure remain central to reaching its 2030 targets | Nordroden / Shutterstock

Casella Waste Systems emphasized both progress and challenges in its 2025 sustainability report, pointing to growth in recycling and community engagement. Continue Reading

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CalRecycle opens comment again for SB 54 rules

Published: September 3, 2025
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California flag and U.S. flag with blue sky background.

The draft regulations have seen several iterations, drawing criticism from industry stakeholders. | Rarrarorro/Shutterstock

California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has opened the public comment period for its latest draft of regulations for the state’s extended producer responsibility law for packaging, which have drawn criticism from industry stakeholders.
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Avoiding EPR pitfalls requires careful, thoughtful approach

Published: September 1, 2025
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Reverse-vending-machine-aleks333-Shutterstock

Reverse vending machines are one component of some deposit return systems | Aleks333/Shutterstock

Takeaways in two minutes (or less)

  • Watch, wait and learn from the “starter seven”
  • Focus first on expanding bottle deposit systems
  • Highlight economic impact to gain bipartisan support
  • Kentucky, Tennessee, Carolinas primed for action
  • Learn from the Canadian experience

 

In an active year for legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution and waste, recycling stakeholders have a bevy of lessons to draw from, even with bills that have come under attack or didn’t quite pass. Continue Reading

Lawsuit takes aim at packaging EPR in Oregon

Published: August 5, 2025
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The State of Oregon seal at a park in Salem, Ore.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors says the state’s newly active packaging EPR law is unfair and ineffective. | JPL Designs/Shutterstock

Editor’s Note: EPR compliance will be featured in sessions at the 2026 Resource Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California.  Continue Reading

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CAA publishes revised Colorado program plan

Published: July 8, 2025
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The plan includes additional information on how currently non-recyclable packaging will be brought into the program by 2030. | Natallia-Boroda/Shutterstock

Circular Action Alliance has submitted an amended program plan for meeting Colorado’s extended producer responsibility regulations for packaging. Public comment will open later this summer. Continue Reading

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‘Operational readiness is high’ as Oregon rolls out EPR

Published: July 1, 2025
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Producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance plans to build a network of 144 PRO Recycling Centers, pictured, for hard-to-recycle items. | Photo Courtesy of Circular Action Alliance

Extended producer responsibility for packaging in Oregon is officially implemented, with the first dollars from producer fees flowing out to the communities most in need as of July 1. 

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WM outlines investments in recycling infrastructure

Published: July 1, 2025
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WM truck on a city street.

During an investor presentation, WM leaders outlined investments in recycling and automation. | 2p2play/Shutterstock

Leaders at hauling giant WM discussed expansions in the company’s recycling infrastructure and automation at a recent investor day, expressing optimism for WM’s future as landfill closures increase demand for collection and recycling. Continue Reading

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