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Tag Archives: legislation

State law, local ordinance and the question of alignment

Published: June 26, 2025
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Person with food scraps for composting.

Coloradans are working to implement a series of recycling-related policies, which sometimes support and sometimes oppose each other. | Gargonia/Shutterstock

When it comes to recycling, most policy is set at the state level — but not all of it. When city ordinances, state law and a governor’s priorities all interact, it can be a recipe for both significant change and serious complexity. 

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Oregon bill could expedite a MRF’s troubled permit process

Published: June 24, 2025
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A recently introduced bill could allow a proposed solid waste facility in Lane County, Oregon, to bypass its turbulent permitting process. | Courtesy of Bulk Handling Systems

Officials in Lane County, Oregon, are pushing state lawmakers to support a new bill that would allow the construction of a controversial recycling and composting facility.  Continue Reading

EPR stalls out in NY Assembly again

Published: June 24, 2025
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Extended producer responsibility for packaging bill S 1464 passed out of the Senate on May 28 with a vote of 33-25, but did not get a vote in the Assembly. | Real Window Creative/Shutterstock

The 2025 legislative session in New York ended, and legislators’ hopes to pass extended producer responsibility for packaging this year did as well. Continue Reading

DRS program changes and delays

Published: June 10, 2025
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Empty PET water bottles for recycling.

On opposite sides of the country, Maine and California are both adjusting their bottle bills. | Billion Photos/Shutterstock

California is finalizing the implementation of changes to its deposit return system for beverage containers, while Maine legislators sent a bill to the governor that would delay previous passed changes.  Continue Reading

Oregon bottle bill to allow ‘alternative’ return centers

Published: June 3, 2025
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Bottle return at a reverse vending machine.

Oregon’s bottle bill, the oldest in the nation, could see some changes. | Veja/Shutterstock

Oregon state lawmakers recently approved a bill that allows the state to designate new redemption centers in Portland tailored toward canners — people who redeem containers on a daily or near-daily basis — and to allow retailers operating nearby to provide fewer redemption services. Continue Reading

Clock runs out this year for bottle bill in Texas

Published: May 20, 2025
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Andrew Yahin/Shutterstock

Using data including state litter studies, the bill moved farther along than previous efforts, lending optimism to its potential to pass in 2027. | Andrew Yahin/Shutterstock

A bipartisan bill in Texas to introduce a bottle deposit return system ran out of time for a state House vote, but supporters see cause for optimism after a strong showing during the recently concluded biennial legislative session. 

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EPR for Maryland: The making of SB 901

Published: May 4, 2025
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Mixed materials gathered for recycling.

The final bill builds on previous legislation, resulting in an EPR program that will take shape in 2028. | Evan Lorne/Shutterstock

After five years of work and many interim steps, Maryland became the sixth U.S. state to pass extended producer responsibility legislation for paper and packaging, continuing the policy’s evolution in the country.

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Washington is seventh state to act on packaging EPR

Published: April 23, 2025
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Flags of Washington state and the United States flying against clouds and blue sky.

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.

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Rhode Island lawmakers introduce bottle bill, EPR

Published: April 22, 2025
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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

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Maryland legislators send EPR bill to governor

Published: April 7, 2025
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Aerial view of the Maryland state capitol building.

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