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

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 Dec. 18, 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