Extended Producer Responsibility in the USA

The adoption of extended producer responsibility (EPR) is gaining momentum in the United States. Already, four states – Maine, Oregon, Colorado, and California – have passed laws implementing EPR. Moreover, in 2022, a total of 40 related bills were considered across 18 states, highlighting the growing interest in this approach.

To address the challenges of recycling in the United States, various measures have been introduced, such as single-use plastic bans, post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials utilization, bottle bills, and EPR. EPR, in particular, can prove to be effective as it establishes a new stream of funding to support recycling efforts.