Multiple U.S. states have already passed extended producer responsibility for packaging policies and related legislation, and the ramp-up for those laws is ongoing. Now, attention is on rulemaking, implementation and compliance timelines.

There are a lot of dates and developments to keep track of. Look below to learn more about recent updates, and scroll down to see a calendar of projected milestones for the next few years announced by leaders in California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington.

Recent EPR developments

  • Oregon officials on Dec. 22 responded in opposition to a motion by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors for a preliminary injunction to suspend enforcement of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. There were also multiple declarations filed in support of that opposition, including by officials with the Oregon Department of Justice and Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association, as well as the Oregon executive director for Circular Action Alliance, the producer responsibility organization helping to implement the law. Defendants also filed a motion to dismiss, and an unopposed motion to appear as amicus curiae.
  • The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved Circular Action Alliance’s program plan, starting the six-month countdown for CAA to begin implementation by June 9, 2026.
  • The Massachusetts Extended Producer Responsibility Commission voted at a Dec. 9 meeting to recommend further study of packaging EPR, including a potential needs assessment, pending a budget appropriation from the state legislature. The commission is expected to submit a report on its 2025 work to the legislature in January and dissolve.
  • CalRecycle submitted SB 54 regulations to the Office of Administrative Law for approval on Nov. 24, CAA noted on its recent quarterly webinar. OAL has 30 working days to review the regulations, and CAA expects them around Jan. 9.

You can sort select deadlines before 2030 by state or date below.

We’ll adjust this list as timelines advance or shift. Do you know of additional deadlines or changes? Please help us stay up to date by sending a message.