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Tag Archives: Policy Now

In My Opinion: The Case for National Data Reporting

Published: September 6, 2024
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data analysis

Re-TRAC CEO Josh Reid explains why consistently collected, standardized data is vital for the recycling industry’s future. | Joyseulay/Shutterstock

With negative mainstream media coverage eroding public trust in recycling, now is the time to make changes, and an important piece of those improvements is accurate, standardized data collection.

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Late summer legislative sessions send bills forward

Published: September 6, 2024
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California's state capitol building seen with blue sky above.

California sent a handful of bills to the governor’s desk, including bills on food waste, plastic film, and the deposit return system. | Jonathan-Lenz/Shutterstock

Several states have late summer ends to their legislative sessions, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts and California, and in the final days several recycling related bills passed. 

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Eco-modulation requirements set EPR programs apart

Published: August 1, 2024
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Package with recycle symbol and recyclable language.

Eco-modulation is commonly introduced after an EPR program is established, as it requires a strong foundation of data. | Olivier-Le-Moal/Shutterstock

Many recycling industry players and brands are now familiar with the base concept of extended producer responsibility for packaging, but now advisory boards, producer responsibility organizations and state regulators are working on another complex, interrelated concept: fee eco-modulation. 

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By and for Minnesotans: How packaging EPR passed

Published: May 31, 2024
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Eureka Recycling facility.

Eureka Recycling, which operates a MRF in Minneapolis, supported the packaging EPR bill. | Courtesy of Eureka Recycling

After months of collaboration and negotiation, stakeholders in Minnesota walked away with an extended producer responsibility bill for packaging that had elements both familiar and unique, and an overarching question: Is this the first state in a new wave of EPR or a continuation of early adopters? 

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In My Opinion: Data to Support Effective and Impactful Packaging Policy

Published: May 31, 2024
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Graphic by Eunomia Consulting

Across the United States, there is growing consideration among advocates and legislators regarding the role of policy in advancing recycling services to ensure equitable access and opportunity to residents while maximizing environmental and economic outcomes. This is exemplified through recent progress in extended producer responsibility policy for packaging. In 2024, nine states – from New York to Tennessee – have introduced legislation for packaging EPR, with the Minnesota governor recently signing an EPR bill, while the four states that have already passed EPR are rapidly moving through implementation phases. 

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New York again aiming for packaging EPR

Published: May 3, 2024
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New York recycling

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act AB 5322 in the Assembly Codes committee and its companion bill, SB 4246, is in the Senate finance committee. | robert-paul-van-beet/Shutterstock

New York legislators are once again pushing to become the fifth state in the U.S. to implement extended producer responsibility for packaging.  

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Producers still lacking urgency on data deadlines

Published: March 29, 2024
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The first packaging data reporting deadlines for extended producer responsibility programs will hit in 2025, but gathering the needed data will take time and help from up and down the value chain. | A9-STUDIO/Shutterstock

In about a year, companies will be required to start reporting various data under four different extended producer responsibility laws as well as some recycled content and labeling laws. Many are still not ready, industry stakeholders cautioned. 

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Ten EPR bills introduced in 2024 so far

Published: March 1, 2024
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NY state capitol building.

Nine states are looking to enact extended producer responsibility packaging, and Hawai’i chose to put a “pre-EPR” bill into play. | Paul-Brady-Photography/Shutterstock

Extended producer responsibility for paper and packaging is once again a hot topic in statehouses across the country. 

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Right-to-repair bills active in a dozen states

Published: March 1, 2024
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The level of activity follows expert predictions that 2024 would see an influx of right-to-repair consumer electronics bills. | skimin0k/Shutterstock

There are over 25 bills establishing the right to repair consumer items in play across the U.S., and more than a dozen of those cover consumer electronics. 

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SB 54 advisory board elects StopWaste director chair

Published: February 2, 2024
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California flag

The California Department of Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery facilitated several meetings centered on SB 54 in early February. | ksanawo/Shutterstock

The first few days of February saw several big moments for California’s extended producer responsibility law for packaging, with a first advisory board meeting and a well-attended public question-and-answer session. 

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