California’s ‘truth in labeling’ law creates uncertainty about carton recycling

SB 343 is slated to take effect in October. Carton advocates and environmental groups disagree over future markets and labeling for the material.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 23, 2026

New Jersey adopts law to reduce restaurants’ plastic waste

The by-request-only policy for takeout utensils and condiment packets adds to similar laws in states including California and Washington and cities such as New York.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 21, 2026

BPI still seeking compost rulemaking at USDA

The Biodegradable Products Institute is focusing on bringing more clarity to compostable packaging’s future in California, dually advocating for rulemaking at USDA as well as new state legislation.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 20, 2026

Russian government takes ‘temporary’ control of Canpack operations

Canpack says it has followed the country’s regulations for 30 years and does not understand the government’s actions. Other packaging companies exited Russia after it launched a war against Ukraine.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 16, 2026

USDA organics board rejects compostable polymers, puts paper on watch

While the group is concerned about contamination from synthetic polymers broadly, it’s open to evaluating individual substances or narrower use cases such as fruit stickers or collection bags.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Jan. 15, 2026

Compostable packaging acceptance remains contentious even as sector scales

Regulatory questions cloud the segment’s future, as do concerns about feedstocks, material capabilities and compostability claims.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Jan. 12, 2026

California packaging EPR rules delayed again

In the latest speed bump for implementing SB 54, CalRecycle withdrew proposed regulations from the Office of Administrative Law's review, noting planned revisions related to packaging for food and agricultural commodities.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 12, 2026

5 packaging industry trends to watch in 2026

Long-anticipated EPR and labeling regulations are poised to have very real impacts. The M&A cycle is advancing. And is there nowhere to go but up for containerboard?

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal • Jan. 8, 2026

How much plastic, paper, metal and glass are recycled in California?

For the first time, CalRecycle published estimated recycling rates for materials that will be covered under packaging EPR law SB 54.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 7, 2026

Packaging laws taking effect in 2026

The new year brings additional PFAS regulations, as well as restrictions on plastic bottles at hotels and on certain takeout packaging. Plus, California prepares to implement a long-anticipated labeling law.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 5, 2026

2025 packaging trends by the numbers

A $10.4 billion acquisition. Two new EPR laws. A $1 billion kraft linerboard mill investment. These were some of the figures that stood out in the packaging industry this year.

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 23, 2025

There are more calls to harmonize state EPR programs. What does that mean?

Many different stakeholders agree on aligning producer definitions and covered material categories. But other areas should allow for regional individuality and be informed by future results from U.S. programs, some sources say.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 22, 2025

Will Congress tackle packaging EPR?

Growing frustration with a patchwork of state laws may fuel more discussion on Capitol Hill of a federal framework, but it would be a long game, sources say. A new bill seeking to harmonize labeling policy could serve as a litmus test.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 19, 2025

Pack Act introduced in Congress to cut through labeling confusion

The bill, championed by Ameripen, would preempt state laws and call on the FTC to require certain parameters such as third-party certifications for recyclable, compostable and reusable claims on consumer products.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 18, 2025

The evolving role of statewide recycling needs assessments

These reports are a common tool for driving EPR programs. Who should lead the process and decide the data strategy and timeline? And where do they stand in 10 states? Eunomia and CAA weigh in.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 18, 2025

Help wanted: State agencies and producers staff up to implement packaging EPR

Headcount varies widely across the seven states implementing extended producer responsibility programs, with some facing budget limitations. California, Colorado, Minnesota and Washington share their latest plans.

By Marissa Heffernan • Dec. 16, 2025

Massachusetts commission punts on packaging EPR

A legislative commission, convened by MassDEP, endorsed the idea of a needs assessment for packaging. The group also endorsed EPR for paint, mattresses, batteries and electronics.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 11, 2025

Success for composting and EPR programs go hand in hand: report

Closed Loop Partners’ Composting Consortium laid out a composter reimbursement framework that PROs could build on. Incentives correlate to greater acceptance of compostable packaging.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 10, 2025

US and EU can learn from each other’s regulations, packaging groups say

Ameripen Executive Director Lynn Dyer and Europen Secretary General Francesca Stevens described during a webinar some areas of overlap and opportunities for learning among the regions’ EPR approaches.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 5, 2025

Nova Scotia rolls out EPR for packaging program

The province’s new program took effect Dec. 1. Residents can now recycle an expanded list of items, including toothpaste tubes and hot and cold drink cups.

By Megan Quinn • Dec. 4, 2025

Colorado’s diversion rate could get a boost in 2026 from EPR, other new laws

Colorado municipalities took the lead on improving the state’s recycling and organics diversion rates in 2024, according to a state report. Still, more “top-down” solutions stemming from EPR implementation could help.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 26, 2025

NAW escalates Oregon EPR lawsuit, seeking preliminary injunction

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is asking a court to suspend enforcement of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act ahead of a next round of producer invoicing.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 26, 2025

Bottle bill talks gain momentum amid America First buzz, EPR

Eager to capture more high-quality material to incorporate into new packaging domestically, leaders from the competing plastic, glass and metal sectors are looking to jointly build on momentum from 2025’s legislative sessions.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 21, 2025

Prioritizing end markets key to taming EPR tension: PPRC speakers

While some aspects of EPR programs, like ecomodulation, won’t be a priority until later, end market identification should be done up front, according to speakers at the Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 21, 2025

EPR anxiety: CPGs and regulators prepare for generational policy shift

Costs, policy divergence and relationships were a big focus at events hosted by GreenBlue and the Northeast Recycling Council. CalRecycle, Oregon DEQ, Circular Action Alliance and others weighed in on what’s next.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 15, 2025