Regulation
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Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Texas approves law requiring warning labels for food additives
The legislation will apply to food product labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Future FDA action on labeling would have the potential to supersede it.
By Sarah Zimmerman • June 24, 2025 -
aimintang via Getty Images
Maine alters packaging EPR law, to industry’s relief
With LD 1423, groups wanted to bring Maine’s first-in-the-nation packaging EPR law from 2021 into closer alignment with more recent versions of EPR legislation in other states.
By Maria Rachal • June 24, 2025 -
tacojim via Getty Images
Illinois advances foam ban legislation, progresses on EPR study
The legislature this year considered bills addressing polystyrene foam food containers as well as single-use plastic bags and food ware items. Meanwhile, a recycling needs assessment study is in the works.
By Maria Rachal • June 23, 2025 -
Jeremy Poland via Getty Images
US senators call on EPA to study reuse, refill
Recycling policy advocates Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., are teaming up again, this time on the Reuse Act, to assess opportunities in consumer packaging, food service and more.
By Maria Rachal • June 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of New York State Senator Pete Harckham
New York legislative session ends without Assembly vote on packaging EPR
Packaging industry groups celebrated the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act’s failure to advance as the legislature’s formal session came to a close early Wednesday.
By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • Updated June 18, 2025 -
Boxed vs. bottled: Not all sustainability claims hold water, nonprofit says
The brand Boxed Water is Better agreed to change certain environmental statements on its packaging in response to a nonprofit’s review, which was requested by the International Bottled Water Association.
By Katie Pyzyk • June 17, 2025 -
Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
California delays compostable packaging crackdown before USDA vote
In granting an extension in AB 1201, CalRecycle Director Zoe Heller said the “fluid status of stakeholders’ legal obligations would present a significant risk of market disruption and exacerbate consumers’ confusion.”
By Maria Rachal • June 16, 2025 -
Permission granted by Kristina Benoist/Product Stewardship Institute
The state packaging EPR club swaps stories as implementation advances
Lawmakers and regulators from California, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Tennessee shared insights on scaling up at a Product Stewardship Institute event last week.
By Maria Rachal • June 12, 2025 -
sergeyryzhov via Getty Images
Washington’s recycled content fines on producers drop
The state’s Department of Ecology last week announced it fined 23 plastic producers a combined $277,000, down from October’s initial round of fines when 35 companies were on the hook for $416,554.
By Maria Rachal • June 10, 2025 -
California advances bills to limit PFAS and other toxics in food packaging
Conversely, a bill to mandate tethered caps on plastic beverage containers, similar to a recent EU requirement, stalled at the halfway point of California’s legislative session.
By Maria Rachal • June 9, 2025 -
The image by Jimmy Emerson, DVM is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
‘A wild ride’: California EPR regulatory revision process advances
After reviewing new comments on SB 54, “while I can see we did some things well, there's some components of our regulations that are still going to need work” prior to formal rulemaking, said CalRecycle Director Zoe Heller.
By Maria Rachal • June 6, 2025 -
demerzel21 via Getty Images
Déjà vu? New York EPR bill unpopular with packaging groups awaits fate in Assembly
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act has again passed the Senate. A host of trade groups that dislike the bill’s material restrictions and recycled content requirements have voiced support for an alternate bill.
By Maria Rachal • June 4, 2025 -
(2025). Retrieved from Flickr.
Hawai’i governor signs packaging EPR study bill
State lawmakers have been introducing EPR proposals for years. The study funded by the newly signed law is due to the legislature by the end of 2027.
By Maria Rachal • June 2, 2025 -
spwidoff via Getty Images
Will 2025 EPR laws pave the way for more packaging policy?
After Maryland and Washington recently adopted packaging EPR laws, leaders from Ameripen and the National Stewardship Action Council expect to see more policy action, including on bottle bills, in 2026.
By Maria Rachal • May 28, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Trump administration orders reversal of plastics phase-out in national parks
A new order states that the rescission tracks with a February executive order to end procurement of paper straws.
By Maria Rachal • May 27, 2025 -
Stock Photo via Getty Images
CalRecycle unveils new SB 54 text; Wagoner out as CAA’s California lead
The agency will host a public meeting Tuesday to take feedback. Circular Action Alliance, the packaging EPR program’s PRO, plans to hire a new state lead as former CalRecycle director Rachel Wagoner steps aside.
By Maria Rachal • May 22, 2025 -
Cole Rosengren/Packaging Dive, data from TVW
Washington adopts seventh packaging EPR law in the US
All three West Coast states now have extended producer responsibility for packaging laws. Washington’s law, the seventh in the U.S., was backed by multiple CPG and packaging trade groups.
By Megan Quinn • May 17, 2025 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
EPA’s future PFAS manufacturing effluent limitation guidelines raise new questions
The Trump administration will pursue regulations for certain manufacturers of chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers after pausing implementation of a similar Biden-era proposal.
By April Reese • May 15, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
California compostable packaging restriction could have ‘chilling effect’
The Biodegradable Products Institute says it’s still waiting to hear whether there could be a compliance extension for a key provision of AB 1201 poised to affect compostables in the state come 2026.
By Maria Rachal • Updated May 19, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Maryland Gov. Moore signs packaging EPR into law
Maryland becomes the sixth state with an extended producer responsibility for packaging law. It ramps up reimbursement between 2028 and 2030.
By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal • May 13, 2025 -
Permission granted by Plastic Ingenuity
Sponsored by Plastic Ingenuity, Inc.Tariffs, delays and uncertainty: How to build a resilient packaging supply chain in 2025
Four tips to help shield your brand from tariffs, material shortages and other supply chain disruptors.
By Plastic Ingenuity • May 12, 2025 -
Stock Photo via Getty Images
Washington EPR for packaging bill heads to governor’s desk
Bill sponsors see the packaging EPR program as a way to bring recycling services to more residents and raise recycling rates. Haulers in the state opposed the bill over cost concerns.
By Megan Quinn • April 24, 2025 -
sgoodwin4813 via Getty Images
Packaging groups support combo EPR, bottle bill legislation in Rhode Island
A commission on plastic bottle waste recommended combo legislation as one path forward. Some packaging and recycling group leaders said in an op-ed that the state “can learn from, and leapfrog, other states” with a new bill.
By Maria Rachal • April 21, 2025 -
Mikola249 via Getty Images
Tariff turmoil: Box demand dips, recession fears rise
The impact of uncertainty from tariffs already is appearing in the paper and packaging industry, and manufacturers are expressing concern about a potential recession this year, according to analysts.
By Katie Pyzyk • April 18, 2025 -
Cole Rosengren/Packaging Dive
Massachusetts EPR commission sets timeline for packaging discussions
At its inaugural meeting this week, the MassDEP-led group acknowledged concerns around the state's pace of policy action as well as the complexity of packaging EPR. Recommendations are due to the legislature next January.
By Cole Rosengren • April 18, 2025
