Advocacy

Maine, Oregon Pass EPR Legislation

Maine and Oregon will be the first two states to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging with new laws signed by their governors. Maine will establish EPR for packaging products made from virtually all materials types, while Oregon will implement EPR for packaging, paper for printing and writing, and food serviceware.

The legislation passed in Maine covers most consumer product packaging, though it excludes beverage containers due to the state’s existing bottle bill program. Participating municipalities can get reimbursed by new packaging stewardship organizations for the costs of managing the material. Further regulatory development of the EPR program will be left up to the Department of Environmental Protection.

In Oregon, EPR legislation also includes new requirements for MRFs to ensure recyclables are properly sorted and contamination removed, reduce impacts on surrounding communities, set living wage standards, and meet health and safety standards. MRFs that do not meet the requirements won’t be able to accept materials from municipal recycling programs.

The new law also creates a tasks force to address truth in labeling for recyclability and requires recycling containers for participating municipal programs contain at least 10% post-consumer recycled materials.

California Recycling Commission Submits First Annual Report

California’s Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets & Curbside Recycling released its first Annual Report with 30 policy recommendations to help improve the state’s recycling system. The Commission was created by law in 2019 to provide advice to CalRecycle, the state legislature, and other state or federal agencies about how California can achieve its recycling and organic material recovery goals. 

While addressing a diversity of issues, recommendations to reduce the risk of fires from discarded materials and fixing the state’s bottle bill program were highlighted as urgent matters. The Commission also addressed design for recyclability and changes in labeling to reduce consumer confusion and increase recycling rates. They also call for producers of recyclable products with low scrap market value to help pay for processing.

The statewide commission consists of representatives of public agencies, private solid waste enterprises, and environmental organizations with expertise in recycling. The Commission was chaired by SWANA member and National Stewardship Action Council’s Executive Director, Heidi Sanborn.