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

  • CalRecycle published a notice of proposed action and began a public comment period on Aug. 22 regarding formal rulemaking for SB 54, California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. The comment period is open through Oct. 7, when CalRecycle will host a hybrid public hearing regarding the permanent regulations. Some lawmakers and environmental groups rallied in August to call for implementation of SB 54 as they say the 2022 law was originally intended.
  • Also under SB 54, CalRecycle recently shared that it’s in the early stage of enforcing restrictions on expanded polystyrene foam food service ware in the state.
  • Circular Action Alliance opened registration for California producers, which it’s asking them to complete by Sept. 5. Separately, a group of producers including PepsiCo, General Mills, Nestlé and others, launched the US Flexible Film Initiative, a nonprofit coalition seeking to fund MRFs and other recyclers in California that advance film and flexible plastic packaging recycling efforts in the state. The initiative is expected to issue a request for information and ultimately offer multiyear contracts.
  • Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality on Aug. 19 emailed a list of the 25 largest producers, assessed by weight of covered product under its EPR law. These top producers must conduct and disclose life cycle impact evaluation on 1% of their covered products on a biennial basis, with the first due Dec. 31, 2026.

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.