[NOTE: This live webinar has since passed but the recording is available HERE]
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is no longer a distant concept; it’s rapidly becoming a fundamental component of waste management and recycling initiatives across the United States. For businesses, this paradigm shift means a new set of obligations and a complex landscape of state-level laws to navigate. Falling behind can lead to significant financial penalties and reputational damage.
At CGlobal, the EPR consulting division of H2 Compliance, we understand the challenges businesses face in this evolving environment. That’s why we’re hosting an essential webinar: “Demystifying EPR: Your Guide to Key U.S. State Laws and Deadlines.”
What Exactly is EPR for Packaging?
In essence, EPR shifts the financial and/or operational responsibility for managing the end-of-life of products – in this case, packaging – from municipalities and taxpayers to the producers who place those products on the market. The core idea is to incentivize producers to design more recyclable, reusable, and less wasteful packaging, thereby promoting a circular economy.
This isn’t a new concept globally; many European countries have had robust EPR systems in place for decades. However, its adoption in the U.S. is a more recent development that is being done at the state level, leading to a patchwork of varied approaches rather than a single federal framework.
The Emerging U.S. EPR Landscape: A State-by-State Snapshot
The United States currently has seven states that have passed EPR for packaging legislation, each with its own nuances, timelines, and requirements. Understanding these differences is crucial for compliance.
- Maine (ME): Maine was the first U.S. state to pass an EPR for packaging law, the Stewardship Program for Packaging (SPP) in in 2021, and amended it in June. Its program is focused on financially reimbursing municipalities for the cost of managing packaging waste.
- Oregon (OR): Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, also passed in 2021, takes a broader approach. It not only includes producer funding but also aims to standardize recycling lists statewide and improve recycling infrastructure.
- Colorado (CO): Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling, enacted in 2022, is similar to Oregon’s in its scope, aiming to increase recycling access and rates across the state while mandating producer contributions.
- California (CA): California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54), passed in 2022, is arguably the most ambitious. It mandates aggressive recycling rates for plastic packaging and food serviceware, source reduction targets, and mandates that all covered materials be compostable or recyclable by 2032.
- Maryland (MD): Maryland enacted its Packaging and Paper Products – Producer Responsibility Plans in 2025. It sets increasing performance goals for producers regarding waste reduction, recycling rates, and the use of post-consumer recycled content in packaging.
- Minnesota (MN): Minnesota’s Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, passed in 2023, also requires producers to fund and manage the recycling of packaging materials.
- Washington (WA): Washington was the most recent state to pass packaging EPR, enacting the Recycling Reform Act in May of 2025. This law aims to increase curbside recycling access, in addition to mandating needs assessments, convenience standards, eco-modulation of fees, education and outreach requirements and the mandate that material go to responsible end markets.
These laws introduce new responsibilities, including:
- Registration: Businesses will need to register with relevant state agencies or Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).
- Reporting: Detailed data on packaging materials, weights, and types will need to be collected and submitted annually.
- Fees: Producers will be required to pay fees based on the amount and type of packaging they introduce into the market.
- Material Targets: Some states are setting aggressive recycling and recycled content targets.
Why You Can’t Afford to Miss This Webinar
The complexity of navigating these individual state laws, understanding who is considered a “producer,” what materials are covered, and when key deadlines hit can be overwhelming. Our upcoming webinar is designed to cut through this complexity and provide you with actionable insights.
Join us for “Demystifying EPR: Your Guide to Key U.S. State Laws and Deadlines“
- Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 [Recording Available HERE]
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
- Cost: FREE
What We’ll Cover:
- A high-level introduction to the concept of packaging EPR and its driving forces in the U.S.
- A state-by-state breakdown of the specific legislative requirements of different laws.
- A review of current and anticipated timelines for compliance, registration, and reporting.
- An opportunity to get your specific questions answered by our experts during a live Q&A session.
This session is crucial for anyone involved in the U.S. packaging value chain, including Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Manufacturers, Food & Beverage Producers, Retailers (Physical & E-commerce), First Importers of Packaged Goods, Packaging Suppliers & Converters, and any company utilizing plastic packaging.
“EPR for packaging is no longer a distant threat; it’s a present reality in a growing number of U.S. states,” explains Iva Aurer, North America Environmental Compliance Manager at H2 Compliance. “This webinar is designed to cut through the complexity, providing producers with the essential knowledge they need to stay ahead of the curve, meet their obligations, and avoid costly penalties.”
Don’t let the evolving EPR landscape catch you off guard. Equip your business with the knowledge and tools to ensure compliance and embrace sustainable packaging practices.
Watch the webinar: https://h2compliance.com/epr-webinar-october-2025-recording-access/
We look forward to helping you demystify U.S. packaging EPR!
