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

  • 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. At the meeting, the commission’s chair noted the complexity of packaging EPR and said the group lacked sufficient time to fully explore the issue. The commission is expected to submit a report on its 2025 work to the legislature in January and dissolve early next year.
  • 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. CAA says it remains on track to start program plan implementation in January 2027. Reimbursement applications will be accepted in early 2026. 
  • The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is now soliciting a stewardship organization. CAA said it anticipates responding in December. Maine's program is expected to launch in 2026 with first municipal reimbursements in 2027.

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.