Senate passes bipartisan recycling, composting bills

Packaging groups such as Ameripen previously expressed support for bills to bolster recycling infrastructure, spur a national composting strategy and collect more data.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 13, 2024

EPA’s plastics pollution prevention strategy recommends reducing certain single-use products

The agency is seeking public feedback on the follow-up to the National Recycling Strategy. It urges producers to consider altering product design to offer more reuse and refill options.

By Megan Quinn • April 26, 2023

Reuse gets enthusiastic White House, EPA support

While highlighting a need for greater investment and cultural change to scale reuse systems, industry participants described being “all in” on reuse and called for policy engagement at a Washington, D.C., event Friday.

By Maria Rachal • April 25, 2023

Competing EPR bills are stalled in Hawai’i this year, but proponents are playing the long game

A bill got close to passing last year, but two proposals are stuck in committee amid opposition from packaging groups. Stakeholders say the legislation symbolizes the state’s willingness to make major waste management changes.

By Megan Quinn • April 21, 2023

Tracking US state packaging policies

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act to restrict hotels offering small containers with shampoo and other personal care items. Proponents hope this will spur a broader shift toward reusable options.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Aug. 26, 2024

Reflecting on a dramatic decade of EPR shifts and what it means for packaging

Michael Washburn, now a senior policy advisor for The Recycling Partnership, hit a wall in his efforts to promote EPR while working at Nestlé Waters North America. Today, he says “almost everything” has changed.

By Cole Rosengren • April 11, 2023

Washington Gov. Inslee signs bill targeting single-use plastics, requiring refill options

Washington is joining California and New York in prohibiting hotels from offering guests personal care products in single-use plastic bottles.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated April 24, 2023

Maryland EPR for packaging proposal, now a study bill, sent to governor for signature

The final bill sets a sped-up timeline for a statewide needs assessment but does not actually implement main details of an EPR program.

By Megan Quinn • Updated April 12, 2023

Maryland EPR for packaging bill passes House with major changes

The bill has been amended to require an in-depth needs assessment before a new program is established, which a range of stakeholders supported. It must be finalized in the state Senate before heading to the governor’s desk.

By Megan Quinn • April 4, 2023

As PFAS restrictions advance, paper industry struggles to phase out use

The toxic “forever chemicals” have long been used in the packaging sector. While companies say they’re being phased out, finding alternatives and fully eliminating them from effluent remain ongoing issues.

By April Reese • April 3, 2023

5 factors influencing packaging design and operations

From navigating inflation and changing regulations to assessing the impact of automation and plastics M&A, these are some of the top industry trends to watch.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2023

As budget deadline looms, New York governor and advocates debate EPR for packaging

Ameripen, the American Forest & Paper Association and the Foodservice Packaging Institute previously said provisions in Gov. Hochul’s proposal were unrealistic and could hurt existing recycling systems.

By Megan Quinn • March 27, 2023

California, Colorado, Oregon officials talk packaging EPR implementation

As more states consider extended producer responsibility for packaging, officials from states working toward 2025 start dates said during an AMERIPEN webinar that they’re collaborating and looking at opportunities to harmonize.

By Maria Rachal • March 20, 2023

Refill and reuse sectors strive for scale to upend single-use packaging’s stronghold

Changing consumer perceptions about convenience and value will be important to achieve greater market dominance, according to speakers from Loop, Clorox and other companies at the Sustainability in Packaging US event.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 16, 2023

Washington’s WRAP Act, including EPR and bottle bill plans, won’t move forward this year

The legislation gained attention as a significant overhaul to Washington’s recycling system, but waste industry opposition contributed to it dying in committee before a key deadline.

By Megan Quinn • March 10, 2023

Plastics recyclers examine influence of secondary sortation, legislation and flexible packaging on PCR markets

Speakers from Republic Services, AMP Robotics, IHS Markit, NOVA Chemicals, Eunomia and others discussed how to advance their efforts at this week’s Plastics Recycling Conference.

By Megan Quinn , Maria Rachal , Jacob Wallace • March 8, 2023

EPR ‘crucial’ to hitting resource recovery goal, GFL exec says

Packaging and waste management stakeholders, including GFL Environmental’s vice president of resource recovery, discussed emerging policy battlegrounds at a Product Stewardship Institute webinar.

By Maria Rachal • March 3, 2023

Bottle bill or ‘recycling refund’ legislation? Advocates commit to 2023 policy push

More than a dozen organizations voiced support for passing container deposit laws in 2023 and changing some terminology to garner more support. Some MRF representatives are wary. 

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 27, 2023

To raise recycling rates, The Recycling Partnership advocates for packaging EPR in every state

A new report from the group says “smart, well-designed” extended producer responsibility for packaging will dramatically boost recycling. Policy and government lead Dylan de Thomas discusses what that could look like.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 22, 2023

Lawmakers call for EPA to more tightly regulate plastic production and cut ties with chemical recycling

In a letter, lawmakers urged Administrator Michael Regan to carry out provisions first outlined in last year’s Protecting Communities from Plastic Act, saying the agency can do more to curb plastic pollution.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 14, 2023

With federal agencies still falling behind on PFAS deadlines, activists seek lawmakers’ help

The Environmental Working Group and Safer States say the U.S. EPA is moving too slowly on setting standards for PFAS in water, packaging and more. They’re pushing Congress and state legislatures to act as well.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 10, 2023

Oregon’s bottle bill system CEO talks tech improvements, refillables and the prospects for a national system

Oregon aims to attain its highest return rates yet with a range of modern updates. Jules Bailey, new CEO of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, talks through what’s working and what’s next.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 1, 2023

EPR still top recycling issue for state policymakers, but plastics and repair laws also on the horizon

While federal action is uncertain, multiple state governors and policy advocates aim to build on the momentum of producer responsibility laws for packaging this year. Numerous other bills are also expected to get consideration.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 30, 2023

Vermont mulls EPR, bottle bill improvements to catch up on recycling goals

A report from the Department of Environmental Conservation recommends adopting EPR for hazardous waste, reducing PFAS and updating the state’s bottle bill to help reach its waste reduction, recycling and composting goals.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 27, 2023

Connecticut governor backing EPR for packaging and other policies to increase state’s ‘self-sufficiency’

Gov. Ned Lamont said a combination of EPR, waste diversion and improved organics management will help Connecticut reduce a growing amount of waste exported to other states in the wake of a major WTE facility closing.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 25, 2023