What is Extended Producer Responsibility legislation?
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are designed to reduce single-use packaging by passing recycling costs from taxpayers onto product packaging producers.
Who currently has EPR laws?
Maine was the first state to pass an EPR law (on July 13, 2021). California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York have proposed EPR laws.
What do these laws mean to manufacturers?
Producers of single-use packaging in states with EPR laws will be required to make payments to a state Packing Stewardship Organization determined by the amount of each type of packaging material processed in the state. Current fees are estimated at up to $500 per ton of raw resin containers. Packaging materials that are easier to recycle will be charged a lesser rate.