Learning From Maine and Oregon's EPR Programs

"Maine was the first U.S. state to pass Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for packaging in July 2021, with Oregon following soon after. This marked a major shift in American recycling policy. Four years later, both states have hit important milestones that show both the potential and the challenges of moving packaging waste management costs from cities and residents to producers."

"Oregon launched the country's first working EPR program on July 1, 2025. Maine's program is set to start fully in 2027. The experiences of these two states have influenced new laws in Colorado, California, Minnesota, Maryland, and Washington. Recycling advocates and policymakers are looking to these early programs for guidance on how to improve recycling systems across the country. Oregon: First Across the Finish Line"

"The Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is a nonprofit start ed in 2022 by 17 large companies, such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Walmart, and Keurig Dr Pepper. They formed CAA to help producers follow new recycling laws. Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality approved CAA's plan to run the state's program on February 21, 2025. Oregon faces a big challenge with its 4.2 million residents. More than 3,300 companies are registered as producers."

Maine enacted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation for packaging in July 2021, and Oregon launched the first working EPR program on July 1, 2025. Maine's program is scheduled to start fully in 2027. These early programs influenced new EPR laws in Colorado, California, Minnesota, Maryland, and Washington. Oregon's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act began fee collection for packaging, food service ware, and paper. The Circular Action Alliance (CAA), formed in 2022 by 17 major companies, received program approval on February 21, 2025. Oregon faces scale and legal challenges, serving 4.2 million residents and over 3,300 registered producers, with substantial planned spending and industry opposition including a federal lawsuit alleging undue private control and fee opacity.

Read at Earth911