Complete Story
06/17/2025
Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility
Source: Two Sides North America, June 12, 2025
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach that intends to hold brand owners, licensees, importers, and distributors accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially the take-back, recycling, and final disposal. This strategy aims to incentivize producers to design environmentally friendly products by making them responsible for the costs associated with the end-of-life management of their products.
EPR in the United States: Current Landscape
Several U.S. states have enacted EPR laws targeting packaging or packaging and printed paper materials. As of April 2025, states including Washington, Maine, Oregon, California, Colorado, and Minnesota have passed such legislation, with a Maryland bill the latest to be signed into law, and two bills under consideration in New York. These laws vary in scope and implementation timelines, but they collectively signify a shift towards producer accountability in waste management.
How will EPR impact you?
