In a watershed moment that has been decades in the making, both Maine and Oregon passed laws in their 2021 legislative sessions that require producers to take responsibility for managing their packaging. Eight other states, including Washington, hope
to be next.
For our avid readers out there, you know that momentum has been building in our state and around the country towards modernizing our recycling system so that producers—instead of municipalities and ratepayers—are financially responsible for ensuring that the packaging waste they create is not only collected
for recycling but is actually recycled at responsible end markets. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging and printed paper are common throughout much of the world, including Canada and Europe, where programs have been in place
for decades. Where these laws exist, recycling rates for said materials are above 70% and even 80%. Yet these same companies have resisted EPR in the U.S. – until now.
Maine gets the gold star for being the first in the nation to pass a producer responsibility packaging
law. Oregon is a close second, its bill signed by the governor on August 6. The legislation received strong support from local governments, the recycling industry and environmental advocacy groups throughout the session. Many Oregon-based businesses also supported the changes.
Get informed, stay engaged
AWC anticipates seeing an EPR for packaging bill introduced in Washington in the 2022 session. If you are fuzzy on the details of exactly what an EPR system is or what it might mean for your community and the state, here are some great resources:
- Oregon’s fact sheet on their new law and FAQs;
- EPR for packaging fact sheet from the Product Stewardship Institute and the Northwest Product
Stewardship Council.
- AWC Annual Conference session on EPR for packaging in Washington, including Q&A with city staff experts – available through the conference portal until September 21. If you missed Annual Conference, there’s still time to register and watch the recording.
Stay tuned to hear about progress on this policy in Washington and don’t hesitate to reach out.