Massachusetts to consider numerous packaging-related bills, with a focus on plastic reduction

A recent National Caucus of Environmental Legislators forum in Boston sought to garner support for a bill that would limit the sale of plastic carryout bags, food service ware, water bottles, miniature alcohol bottles and more.

By Cole Rosengren • June 7, 2023

Single-use plastic packaging may be checking out of the hotel toiletry market

State legislation, guest preferences for sustainable amenities and cost savings could signal a decline in sales for mini plastic toiletry containers. Refillable bottles are gaining ground as hotels look for ways to adapt to the trend.

By Danielle Beurteaux • June 5, 2023

California lawmakers advance ‘sell-by’ labeling, cannabis packaging, bottle bill expansion legislation

Conversely, one bill that could have banned the sale of certain plastics deemed toxic or non-recyclable did not move forward after facing opposition from numerous packaging stakeholders.

By Maria Rachal • June 5, 2023

FTC’s Green Guides review brings packaging recyclability debates to the fore

Chemical recycling, access to recycling as a key metric and the potential for national rulemaking were some of the areas that divided expert panelists at a Federal Trade Commission workshop Tuesday.

By Maria Rachal • May 24, 2023

Illinois legislature passes limited foam food ware ban while a broader bill stalls

The bill, if signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, would prohibit state agencies and vendors from using polystyrene foam food ware. A related bill that would have included restaurants throughout the state did not advance.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 23, 2023

More than a dozen state AGs weigh in on recyclable, compostable claims for Green Guides review

The Federal Trade Commission will convene a workshop in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday as part of its ongoing review of the Guides for Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.

By Maria Rachal • May 19, 2023

Flexible and compostable product groups discuss circularity goals for hard-to-recycle packaging

The executive directors of the Flexible Packaging Association and Biodegradable Products Institute discussed what their stakeholders view as important tenets of EPR policies.

By Maria Rachal • May 18, 2023

PFAS prevention legislation model aims to get Northeast lawmakers on the same page

The Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association’s draft legislation offers a “menu of options” for legislators to consider, including a ban on products and packaging with intentionally added PFAS.

By Megan Quinn • May 18, 2023

Reports recommend packaging changes ahead of next global plastics treaty negotiations

The UN Environment Programme and WWF dug into areas for intervention across the product life cycle, like designing for circularity, substituting other materials for plastics, EPR for packaging, reuse and deposit return systems.

By Maria Rachal • May 17, 2023

DeliverZero, Dispatch Goods, Returnity join alliance promoting innovation in global plastics treaty

A group of more than 60 organizations aims to boost engagement between policymakers and “the innovation ecosystem” ahead of the next United Nations negotiation session.

By Maria Rachal • May 15, 2023

Why Atlantic Packaging doesn’t shy away from EPR conversations

Many businesses don’t want more regulation, but Atlantic has pushed for action. The family-owned company’s sustainability director explains how customer conversations and policy engagement have evolved.

By Maria Rachal • May 11, 2023

Oregon Gov. Kotek signs foam ban, allows customers’ reusable containers at restaurants

The laws will take effect in 2024 and 2025. Some packaging groups say the legislation imposes “costly requirements” on businesses.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 9, 2023

Colorado selects brands-led producer responsibility organization for EPR for packaging law

The Circular Action Alliance, which includes Coca-Cola, Unilever and other major consumer goods companies, has been chosen as the group to implement key elements of the state’s program.

By Megan Quinn • May 4, 2023

EPR missing from New York state budget, but advocates aim to push issue forward with other bills

This marks the second year in a row that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s efforts to include producer responsibility for packaging in the budget were not successful.

By Megan Quinn • May 2, 2023

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

Hawai’i, Maryland and Washington have acted on packaging EPR in 2025.

By Maria Rachal • Updated June 3, 2025

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