Harrison Nix’s Post

It is great to see a fifth state implement an EPR program but it would be even better if we had a national program that addressed the shortfalls of the current recycling system. Imagine if the Clean Air Act had been a state by state law. There would still be states selling leaded gasoline, 50 years later, because it is cheaper to make. National recycling legislation with minimum content requirements would provide an effective guide for companies to follow. Real results, not more discussions, surveys and committees are required.

PPEC’s latest blog revisits the question of if we are putting the cart before the horse when it comes to considering an Extended Producer Responsibility approach for recycling packaging in the non-residential IC&I sector. And the answer seems to be…maybe. Canada’s paper packaging industry has been a pioneer in recycling for decades, implementing a circular economy for paper packaging long before it was widely recognized, driven not by regulation or EPR, but because it makes environmental and business sense to manufacture paper packaging products using recycled fibres. The decades of experience PPEC members have with recycling – which includes mills buying back used paper materials directly from the IC&I sector to use in their operations – provides our industry with insights that we hope policymakers will consider. Let’s get EPR for residential right first before we put the cart before the horse by applying it to the IC&I sector. https://lnkd.in/gYdm4Qr5

In less than a year Oregon will become the first state in the U.S. to implement a series of laws known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The laws fundamentally shift the responsibility for funding recycling systems from local governments to the #plastic makers. The law’s fee structures are designed to incentivize producers to make #packaging that minimizes waste and environmental impacts and improves recyclability. Despite opposition, EPR systems are leading to significant improvements in #recycling rates and #waste management. A study found that EPR policies in seven jurisdictions worldwide have driven recycling rates to over 75% for packaging materials. “‘[Reusable packaging] will get you the biggest advantage in terms of the fees you pay and the benefits you reap in the laws.” https://lnkd.in/gAbsE3pb #CircularEconomy #plasticrecycling #wastemanagement #sustainability Jordan Hurwitz Tom Mastrobuoni Michelle Kung, Ph.D.

Global EPR update! 🌐   The U.S. follows the rest of the world and implements its first #EPR laws in the coming year. It initially focuses on tackling waste from packaging and plastics, forming similar fundamentals to other EPR regimes worldwide. According to the webpage of the Circular Action Alliance, currently only producers are held responsible within the supply chain. However, they also indicate that there are different interpretations of being a producer according to a state's specific definition.   We think it's great to see EPR implemented in the U.S., all be it surprising that it was not implemented earlier. We're curious to see how the legislation is going to expand and if it will ultimately resemble the European EPR schemes, which are more extensive in comparison to those in the U.S. 🌎 #startup #packaging #wastemanagement #circularity

As New York explores the realm of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, we're faced with an intriguing question: Could this be a turning point for plastic recycling? The possibility of seeing a radical shift in plastic recycling responsibilities evokes a sense of interest and anticipation. It brings forward a potential solution to the growing challenge of waste management, offering hope for a more sustainable future. A recent article in WasteDive discusses the potential of introducing EPR for packaging in New York. This would require producers to bear the post-consumer life of their products, motivating them towards more sustainable packaging choices. While still in the discussion phase, this proposal reflects a significant shift in waste management strategies that could potentially revolutionize plastic recycling in the state. What are your thoughts on implementing EPR programs for packaging? Could this approach transform waste management and recycling practices? Let's discuss these potential shifts and their impact. #ExtendedProducerResponsibility #PlasticRecycling #WasteManagement #SustainablePackaging #RecyclingInnovation

Is the easy solution to con the public into washing and recycling packaging carefully, only for local authorities to burn most of it for lack of resources? The answer must be to make the suppliers fill the gaps, but that needs better questions by staff responsible for ordering packaging. Some companies are already fantastic at this and should share best practice.

It’s no secret that extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging is set to reshape the packaging industry in the United States, leaving many producers and packaging companies concerned about increased reporting and compliance requirements, fees, etc. However, a key upside of EPR lies in eco-modulation programs, also known as eco-modulated fees—a system to empower producer responsibility organizations (PROs) and state departments to adjust fees that will incentivize packaging producers to minimize waste, impact, and integrate more sustainable materials into their packaging designs. This is seen as essential for EPR programs like Oregon, which note that the “environmental impacts of production are often many times larger than the impacts of disposal, and because recycling can never fully mitigate the impacts of production.” Read more about the EPR for packaging programs in Maine, California, Oregon, California, and Minnesota and plans for eco-modulated fees in our latest research article written by our very own Mitch Webster here: https://lnkd.in/ezdkmRq9 #EPR #extendedproducerresponsibility #packaging

New York's EPR for packaging bill came close to passing but didn't make it this session. We are in an era where... ...sustainability is no longer just a goal, but a necessity. Here's why it matters: 1) This bill aimed to revolutionize recycling infrastructure and reduce harmful chemicals in packaging. 2) It proposed ambitious recycled content requirements and plastic reduction thresholds. Despite not passing, the bill highlighted key issues: 1) Economic Benefits: New York City estimated $150 million in annual waste management savings. 2) Environmental Progress: Significant reduction in waste and enhanced recycling infrastructure. The conversation doesn't end here. We must continue to advocate for policies that drive sustainability in packaging. The support is growing, and with more engagement and discussion, we can make these initiatives a reality. Imagine a future where packaging not only serves its purpose but also contributes to a sustainable planet. ------------ Staying current with legislative updates can be daunting. The landscape is ever-changing, making it essential to stay informed to adapt and comply effectively. Imagine a future where packaging not only serves its purpose but also contributes to a sustainable planet. I can help you to keep up to date on any legislative/policy updates and provide latest news, chatter, and insights around these updates. Lets chat about how! #Sustainability #Packaging #EPR #Legislation #Recycling #WasteReduction #CircularEconomy #PolicyUpdates #IndustryIntelligence https://lnkd.in/ekErGPRY

Congratulations to Minnesota, which recently became the fifth state in the nation to pass EPR for Packaging! EPR policies for packaging and paper are critical for reducing unnecessary packaging. If well-designed, these policies can support scaling up reuse systems, improving and increasing recycling, ensuring equitable and convenient access to recycling, and helping drive more sustainable product design. Over 40 countries and provinces globally have producer responsibility policies for containers and packaging. Five US states—California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Oregon—have recently adopted policies. Three of these five states had an AMBR-recycler—a mission-based recycler—supporting policy by advocating for strong packaging reduction language and bridging the gap to create solutions for the common issues faced by both recyclers and haulers. Congratulations to our colleagues at Eureka Recycling, a co-founding member of AMBR, for their leadership in helping strengthen the bill language to eliminate the most problematic and unnecessary packaging, prioritize reduction and reuse, and hold producers accountable for their packaging choices while ensuring that the public has a voice in the implementation process Read more about Minnesota's new EPR for packaging policy: https://lnkd.in/e_4MgKFd

Why we must invest in processing to meet recycling goals: The European Commission (EC) has ruled that EU states must reduce packaging waste by five per cent by 2030. These rules cover both packaging design and waste management. Most waste management schemes rely on mechanical recycling — a method that Greenpeace argues “will always fail” for plastics because they are “virtually impossible to sort.” Here, […] The post Why we must invest in processing to meet recycling goals appeared first on Industrial Compliance.