In 2022, the first two states to pass Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bills—Maine and Oregon—began the rulemaking to implement their respective law’s statutes. This year has also seen California and Colorado pass EPR requirements for packaging. ISRI has provided short summaries below of where these states are in the process so recyclers can stay up to date and effectively engage in their states and regions.
EPR in Maine and Oregon
Oregon’s Recycling System Advisory Council met Dec. 15 to discuss community agreements and revisions to the recycling acceptance lists, including public comments. Additional implementation information is available on the Recycling Modernization Act website.
Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is beginning stakeholder outreach meetings. Registration is available for producer exemptions meetings in December 2022 and municipal reimbursement meetings in January 2023. Outreach set to continue through 2023.
EPR in Colorado and California
Colorado’s Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) webpage on its Producer Responsibility Program provides FAQs and a timeline for implementation and allows users to sign up for updates on the program.
CalRecycle, California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, has not yet created a SB 54 implementation page, but information will likely be made available on its Product Stewardship / EPR page, Packaging page, or ListServs.
EPR Programs in 2023
ISRI anticipates legislation similar to those EPR laws that passed in Maine, Oregon, Colorado, and California to move forward in 2023 in Hawaii, the Northeast region, the mid-America region, and Washington state.
Questions
For information on ISRI’s Position on Product Stewardship, guidance for ISRI members engaging policymakers, or assistance in advocacy efforts, contact Justin Short, ISRI’s government relations manager.
Photo Courtesy of AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
