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

  • Eunomia has completed a draft of Illinois’ recycling needs assessment. The consultant shared an overview at a July 1 advisory council meeting. The assessment is supposed to be finalized and reported on in Q4.
  • The Maine Department of Environmental Protection updated its packaging EPR webpage. DEP is still in the process of contracting with a stewardship organization after issuing a request for proposals in June. DEP says municipal, producer and alternative collection programs guidance is coming soon. “The Department anticipates that registration and invoicing will begin at the end of 2026, and that reimbursements to municipalities may begin at the end of 2027.”
  • Circular Action Alliance released its first annual report from Oregon with detailed expenditures from the EPR program’s first six months in action. CAA also recently highlighted new recycling centers and cart rollouts.
  • There are numerous lawsuits across multiple states challenging packaging EPR programs. A trial is expected in Portland, Oregon, from July 13-17.

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.