As long-held world financial norms and dependable commerce partnerships are disrupted by the Trump administration’s advert hoc tariff insurance policies, the necessity for a home provide chain that may recycle and refurbish important supplies has turn out to be more and more essential for market stability.
Enter Prolonged Producer Accountability (EPR) laws. These state-level legal guidelines require producers to develop merchandise that may be recycled and repurposed again into the availability chain.
Many states have already got such legal guidelines in pressure, whereas others are within the strategy of enacting them. Beneath is a roundup of states with full or restricted EPR legal guidelines or pending laws.
States with lively EPR legal guidelines
Maine
Oregon
- Legislation: Plastic Air pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582)
- Enacted: January 2022
- Abstract: This legislation requires producers to hitch a Producer Accountability Group and pay charges primarily based on the sort and amount of packaging. It units recycling targets for plastic packaging and meals service ware, aiming for a 25 p.c recycling fee by 2028, 50 p.c by 2040 and 75 p.c by 2050.
California
- Legislation: Plastic Air pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Accountability Act (SB 54)
- Enacted: June 2022
- Abstract: This legislation mandates that by 2032, 100% of packaging in California should be recyclable or compostable, with a 25 p.c discount in plastic packaging and 65 p.c recycling fee for single-use plastics. Producers should be a part of a Producer Accountability Group or submit a person plan to handle packaging waste.
Colorado
Minnesota
- Legislation: Packaging Waste and Price Discount Act (HF 3577)
- Enacted: Might 2024
- Abstract: This legislation mandates producers to handle the lifecycle of packaging supplies, together with registration with a Producer Accountability Group. It units targets for recycling charges and encourages the usage of eco-friendly designs. Non-compliance could end in fines starting from $25,000 to $100,000.
States with restricted EPR laws
New Jersey
- Legislation: Recycled Content material Legislation (P.L. 2021, c. 391)
- Enacted: January 2022
- Abstract: This laws units post-consumer recycled content material necessities for sure merchandise and prohibits the sale of polystyrene loose-fill packaging. Producers should register yearly and meet recycled content material requirements beginning in January 2024.
Washington
- Legislation: Put up-Client Recycled Content material Legislation (70A.245)
- Enacted: January 2023
- Abstract: This legislation requires producers of sure plastic merchandise to register with the state, pay annual charges and embody a minimal quantity of recycled plastic of their packaging. It goals to scale back the manufacturing of recent plastic and incentivize the event of recent markets for recyclable plastic.
States with proposed EPR laws
Illinois
- Proposed Legislation: Home Invoice 1087 — Polystyrene Ban in Faculties
- Abstract: This invoice proposes a ban on polystyrene foam meals service-ware in colleges, which might take impact Jan. 1, 2027. It mandates the procurement of recyclable or compostable alternate options, aiming to scale back environmental affect and promote sustainable practices inside academic establishments. It has handed the Senate and should make it by the Home.
- Proposed Legislation: Home Invoice 1146 — Single-Use Carryout Bag Ban
- Abstract: This laws seeks to ban single-use carryout luggage, together with each plastic and paper, beneath the Strong Waste Planning and Recycling Act. Exemptions are supplied for particular makes use of similar to uncooked meat, produce, dwell animals, sizzling meals and dry cleansing garment luggage. The invoice goals to scale back plastic air pollution and encourage the usage of reusable alternate options.
- Proposed Legislation: Senate Invoice 132 — The Plastic Bottle Cap Discount Act
- Abstract: This laws proposes that single-use beverage containers constituted of plastic have caps hooked up or “tethered” to the container. It additionally mandates mono-material packaging throughout bottles and caps, prohibiting mismatched supplies similar to HDPE caps on PET bottles. The legislation, which might take impact Jan. 1, 2029, goals to boost recyclability and scale back litter.
New York
- Proposed Legislations: S1464/A1749 — The Packaging Discount and Recycling Infrastructure Act
- Abstract: This pair of payments would require producers to eradicate sure chemical compounds from packaging supplies, with discount targets of 10 p.c minimal three years after implementation, then 30 p.c after 12 years. The invoice additionally offers producers with choices to buy recycled supplies, with a purpose of 35 p.c recycled materials for glass, 40 p.c for paper luggage and 20 p.c for plastic trash luggage two years after implementation.
Maryland
- Proposed Legislation: SB901 — Packaging and Paper Merchandise — Producer Accountability Plans
- Abstract: This invoice would require producers to submit a five-year accountability plan by July 1, 2028. Then, as soon as each decade, producers would perform a statewide wants evaluation that covers packaging, beverage containers and organics. The plan requires reimbursement of at the least 50 p.c of value per ton by July 1, 2028, then elevating to 75 p.c by 2029 and 90 p.c by 2030.
Rhode Island
- Proposed Legislation: Home Invoice 6205 – Prolonged Producer Accountability for Packaging and Paper Act
- Abstract: This invoice establishes an EPR program for packaging and paper merchandise, aiming to scale back waste and improve recycling charges. It mandates producers to handle the end-of-life of their merchandise by a Producer Accountability Group. The invoice outlines necessities for recycling targets, reporting and compliance mechanisms.
- Proposed Legislation: Home Invoice 6206 – Beverage Containers Recycling Act
- Abstract: Generally known as the “bottle invoice,” This laws proposes a 10-cent price for every particular person beverage container bought by a shopper. The buyer can then earn this a refund upon returning the empty container to a delegated website.
- Proposed Legislation: Home Invoice 6207 — Prolonged Producer Accountability for Packaging and Paper Act
- Abstract: To not be confused with HB6205, this invoice would mix the “bottle invoice” and HB6205, which focuses on mandated recycling for packages and paper merchandise.
- Proposed Legislation: Senate Decision 671 — Research of Plastic Recycling Enhancements
- Abstract: This decision establishes a fee to check and establish pathways to enhance the state’s recycling of plastic bottles, miniature alcoholic beverage containers (“nips”) and single-use plastic packaging. The fee is tasked with contemplating container deposit and EPR applications, with findings and suggestions to be shared with the Basic Meeting by June 10.
