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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Colorado, SB 192 was introduced. It reaffirms the ability of the state packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) advisory board to hold hearings for products who disagree with the dues assessed to them. The process came under legal question, prompting a legislative fix.

• In Illinois, SB 3915 moved into committee. It would create an EPR program for household hazardous waste.

• In New York, SB 1464 / AB 1749 were amended significantly. They would create an EPR program for packaging. The American Forest & Paper Association opposes the amendments, just as it opposes the bills overall.

• In Pennsylvania, SB 1317 was introduced. It would alter the current electronics recycling program.

• In Rhode Island, H 8498 was introduced. It would repeal the current EPR program for mattresses.

• In Rhode Island, H 8499 was introduced. It would repeal the current EPR program for paint.

• In Tennessee, SB 1793 was sent to the governor on April 30. It would require certain state departments to file annual reports on recycling.

Rulemaking News

• In California, permanent regulations for the state’s packaging EPR story were approved.

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Program Updates

• The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) added 14 uncoated paperboard items manufactured by Better Earth to the list of approved food service packaging under SB 1335: Six clamshells, seven plates, and one tray.

• Nationally, Circular Action Alliance opened a public comment period on a draft Certification Standard for Responsible Markets, aiming to align standards across the U.S.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• Business leaders in the European Union are asking the European Commission to postpone the enforcement of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, in order to get more clarification on certain areas of the wide-reaching legislation.

Looking Forward

• In California, CalRecycle will hold an informal public workshop on covered battery-embedded recycling fees on May 26.

• In Washington, the state Department of Environmental Quality will hold the first of five rulemaking meetings for its packaging EPR program on May 27. The draft language covered in the first meeting will be available for public comment from May 13 through June 24.

–Marissa Heffernan

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Producers have 30 days from May 1 to register with CalRecycle and CAA, submit supply data to CAA, to apply to be an independent producer, and to apply for a small producer e…

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In California, AB 2226 died in committee on April 29. It would have repealed the requirement that “pre-checkout” bags be compostable.

• In Colorado, SB 90 failed when it was held in committee on April 27. It would have exempted critical infrastructure from the Consumer Repair Bill of Rights Act.

• In Maryland, SB 553 and HB 833 were both signed by the governor on April 28. They re-establish the Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety.

• In Massachusetts, S 3062 replaced an older bill from last session. It would create the right to repair for certain consumer electronics.

• In Minnesota, SF 5211 was introduced. It’s an omnibus bill that includes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for batteries.

• In New Hampshire, HB 1602 was turned into a study bill on April 23. It will now require a study on creating an EPR program for batteries.

• In New Jersey, S 671 was withdrawn in favor of similar legislation. It would have banned single use plastic utensils and condiments and required the use of reusables.

• In South Carolina, H 5238 passed the Senate and was returned to the House for concurrence on April 28. It would support efforts to reduce waste generation and increase opportunities for waste diversion through recycling.

Rulemaking News

• The California Department of Resources Recovery and Recycling (CalRecycle) and textile producer responsibility organization (PRO) Landbell USA both filed to oppose the American Apparel & Footwear Association’s motion to move its petition hearing date up. AAFA filed the petition to block Landbell from acting as the PRO for the state’s textile EPR law.

• In Maryland, at the April 21 packaging EPR advisory board meeting, PRO Circular Action Alliance (CAA) was asked about its capacity to handle program development and implementation in the six states it has been chosen as the PRO. CAA’s Peter Hargreave said while more time to scale up would always be welcome, “we are comfortable with where we are right now” and “we have the resources we need in place to implement these programs even though timelines are tight.”

• In Washington, at the April 29 packaging EPR advisory board meeting, the board heard that the big focuses for the program this year are developing the statewide collection lists and completing the preliminary needs assessment. The initial statewide lists are due Oct. 1, and the preliminary needs assessment is due Dec. 31. The bulk of the meeting was introductions to CAA and lubricant management organization Interchange 360, as well as discussion of the statewide lists. The number of material categories under consideration for the lists is now at 108 categories, up from 88.

Program Updates

• In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released a list of over 300 producers who are out of compliance with the packaging EPR law – they have not registered, reported and/or paid fees. All companies were given a 90-day notice period by CAA and were sent a warning letter by DEQ.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• The Container Recycling Institute released its 2025 impact report looking at its work to promote deposit refund systems (DRS) for beverage containers in the U.S.

–Marissa Heffernan

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New Mexico - End of Session February 19

• No recycling-related bills tracked this year.

Indiana - End of Session February 27

• HB 1231 died in committee, with its la…

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Alabama, HJR 316 was signed by the governor on April 17. It encourages the governor to promote the state as a textile recycling hub.

• In Colorado, SB 90 crossed chambers on April 16. It would exempt “critical infrastructure” from the state’s Consumer Repair Bill of Rights Act, but the scope was narrowed after pressure from right-to-repair advocates.

• In Colorado, the legislature adopted SJR26-022, a joint resolution declaring July 12 through 18, 2026, Plastic Pollution Awareness Week. Hauler Eco-Cycle celebrated the resolution.

• In Connecticut, SB 147 crossed chambers on April 15. It would require a study on an EPR program for solar panels, vapes and aerosol paints.

• In Delaware, SB 287 was introduced. It requires recycling access notification and education.

• In Minnesota, SF 4214 was introduced. It’s an omnibus bill that includes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for batteries and changes to current rechargeable battery regulations.

• In Minnesota, SF 5174 and HF 4997 were introduced. They would create EPR programs for batteries.

• In New Hampshire, HB 1602 was ruled “inexpedient to legislate” by committee on April 15. It would have created an EPR program for batteries.

Rulemaking News

• In California, at the April 17 packaging EPR advisory board meeting, the board finalized its comment letter regarding the state needs assessment. Discussion of the cost and benefits of setting up a robust reuse and refill system, as well as the issue of compostable plastics, dominated the conversation. The board also heard an update from producer responsibility organization (PRO) Circular Action Alliance (CAA). CAA’s California Executive Director Emily Coven said the PRO is starting a recycling and reuse system optimization project and will be reaching out to hundreds of stakeholders between May and July. The project is modeled after similar outreach in Colorado and Oregon, and CAA plans to talk to every MRF in the state, she noted, to “give us that specific level of detail that we ultimately need” to implement the program. In addition, individual source reduction plans will be due to CAA by August 1, and the board voted to cancel its May 15 meeting.

• In Colorado, the American Chemistry Council withdrew its lawsuit over mass balance, but questions remain. Read more in my story for Packaging Dive.

• In Minnesota, at the April 15 packaging EPR advisory board meeting, board members brought up concerns with MRF and end markets survey questions and proprietary data issues. CAA noted that the MRF and end markets surveys are now password protected, to help alleviate concerns.

–Marissa Heffernan

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This is Circular Action Alliance’s audit center, and as of the end of March, the team had sorted 450 samples, year to date.

The center is part of Oregon’s packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) program, which officially rolled out in July. The center started operations in October. City of Roses provides the space and employees, while the producer responsibility organization (PRO) Circular Action Alliance (CAA) funds it.

Alex Bertolucci, CAA’s communication manager in Oregon, said technically, under the law, local governments are required to do auditing, but after talking with them and haulers, it was clear that having CAA handle auditing in one hub made the most sense.

Having a centralized location means the team members are “becoming the experts” in rapidly sorting 122 categories, Bertolucci said. The goal is to sort 2,600 samples per year. With that kind of standardization and throughput, producers, communities and the PRO can have actionable data on a regular basis.

“DEQ was doing this, but it took a long time to get to,” Bertolucci said. Now, data will be available multiple times a year instead of once every two years, like under DEQ’s waste characterization schedule.

The samples come from MRFs and transfer stations, which randomly select routes and trucks to take samples from. Right now, the bulk of them are from the Portland metro area as the program ramps up, but eventually the samples will come in from across the state.

The selected truck puts the materials on the cleared dumping floor, and the MRF then mixes the sample, piles it into a cone, and scoops 250-320 pounds of material into a gaylord provided by CAA. The MRF of origin also fills out a survey to attach to the gaylord, with the date, location, and if the route is single family or multifamily/commercial.

“It’s all the information we need so we can match it up and get the data back to the community,” Bertolucci said.

The material is then shipped to the audit center, where one-by-one the gaylords are emptied onto a belt and hand-sorted. The sorting team visited Recycle BC in Canada to learn about the best way to sort, Bertolucci said, and came home with tricks such as flipping sorting bins a certain way.

And when a material comes in that doesn’t fit clearly in a category, the sorting team works with each other and CAA to determine where it should go – and to ensure that any future similar items are sorted the same way.

“They make sure they’re all on the same page,” Bertolucci said.

After the sample is fully sorted, the material in each of the 122 categories is weighed and logged into a computer system. That information will be shared with communities on a regular basis, Bertolucci said, though the exact cadence hasn’t been chosen yet.

The first few sorts took about three hours each, but today, Bertolucci said it only takes the team about an hour per sort, and some are even faster.

The fastest sort took just 15 minutes, because it was a commercial load that was mostly cardboard, Bertolucci said.

CAA just shared its first round of data insights with communities, Bertolucci said, and CAA will hold a webinar soon to help communities interpret it. The center is also doing some post-MRF bale breaks, to see how materials are flowing through various MRFs.

This style of auditing makes it easier to see recycling stream changes in real time, Bertolucci said, which will be incredibly useful as CAA starts working on projects or making tweaks to educational programs in communities.

In addition, CAA plans to use the insights to indicate which items might be poised for on-ramping onto the statewide list, Bertolucci said.

“What is already showing up?” He said. Thermoforms, for example, “are showing up in surprisingly large numbers even though they have never been allowed in the bin.”

The same goes for aluminum foil and aerosol cans, Bertolucci said. The Recycle On Centers that CAA is deploying across the state will also be useful for evaluating materials for on-ramping.

So far, there are 26 Recycle On Centers at transfer centers, MRFs and other locations in Oregon, but CAA plans to have 144 in active use by the end of 2027. The centers, made from old shipping containers, have signage in Spanish and English, and accept shredded paper, plastic lids, rigid plastic package handles, plastic buckets, aluminum foil and trays, and plastic film, all via self-sort.

CAA has also partnered with Southern Oregon Goodwill, which is taking back those materials and filling a 53-foot trailer that the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative backhauls for CAA.

Bertolucci said there are many such partnerships happening as the EPR program rolls out, which helps CAA make “best use of producer dollars.”

Right now, film collection has the most interest, Bertolucci said, and CAA is gathering information on how much demand for collection is present, as well as if there are responsible end markets with enough capacity.

“If we can get some of these successfully on-ramped, it will show we can do it with others,” Bertolucci said.

Looking at the bigger picture, Bertolucci said he anticipates that other states currently implementing packaging EPR programs will likely want their own audit centers. For now, there are no plans to add more audit centers in Oregon, he said, because the Portland location is keeping up with sampling, and the fewer centers there are, the more consistent the sorting will be.

“We’re making sure we’re using those producer dollars as effectively as possible,” Bertolucci said.

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Alabama, HJR 316 was sent to the governor on April 9. It encourages the governor to promote the state as a textile recycling hub.

• In Kansas, HB 2700 was signed by the governor on April 9. It creates the right to repair for certain consumer electronics.

• In Kentucky, SB 49 was signed by the governor on April 10. It creates an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for batteries.

• In Maine, LD 2141 was sent to the governor on April 13. It would divert some unclaimed beverage container deposit refunds to other state funds.

• In Maryland, SB 553 was sent to the governor on April 8, and HB 833 was sent to the governor on April 13. They would re-establish the Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety.

• In Massachusetts, S 3050 was introduced. It’s an omnibus bill that includes sections that would create a paint EPR program and a plastic bag ban.

• In Rhode Island, H 8415 was introduced. It would prohibit the use of black plastic takeout containers.

Rulemaking News

• In California, the American Apparel & Footwear Association asked for a preliminary injunction stopping the California Department of Resources Recovery and Recycling (CalRecycle) and textile producer responsibility organization (PRO) Landbell from “taking any further steps to implement” the program. It also asked to move the preliminary hearing from Aug. 7 to May 8 or May 15.

• In Minnesota, applications to fill the vacant community-based nonprofit environmental justice organization seat on the packaging EPR advisory board are open through May 4.

Program Updates

• In California, Circular CRV Association submitted its Q1 2026 report. In the first three months of 2026, the organization launched 11 new sites, bringing the total to 14 operational locations serving 17 convenience zones, though by the end of the quarter only 10 sites remained operational “following adjustments related to store closures, contractor eligibility issues, and the introduction of certified recycling centers in certain zones.” The network redeemed 3.4 million containers in Q1, returning about $191,000 in deposits to consumers.

• In Oregon, CAA plans to spend as much as $123 million on recycling projects through 2027, such as recycling bins, trucks and facility upgrades. Packaging Dive reported on the details.

• Also in Oregon, the final version of CAA’s 2023-2024 financial report was posted, along with the public comments submitted on CAA’s second draft responsible end market plan amendment. The American Forest & Paper Association commented, along with the Association of Plastic Recyclers, the Can Manufacturers Institute, the EPS Industry Alliance, the Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association, the Recycled Materials Association, the Aluminum Association, and The Recycling Partnership. The comments were generally supportive of REM standards and benchmarks, and had a number of technical suggestions.

• Oregon DEQ also updated its list of the state’s top 25 producers by market share for 2025, which are considered large producers and must evaluate and disclose the life cycle impacts of 1% of their products. Many of the producers are grocery store chains or food producers.

• In Washington, the E-Cycle Washington program collected 997,573 million pounds of TVs, computers and monitors for recycling in March, making the 2026 year-to-date total 3.11 million pounds. That’s 3.6% more than the same period in 2025.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• In the U.S., The Recycling Partnership released its 2026 Impact Report, finding that 1 in 5 Americans live in a state with packaging EPR. The organization also announced that founder and CEO Keefe Harrison plans to “transition from her role” on July 31.

Looking Forward

• In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality will convene two technical workgroup meetings in April to discuss potential changes to glass collection rules, on April 15 and April 28. The Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council Materials subcommittee will also discuss glass collections options on May 4 and May 12.

–Marissa Heffernan

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At the March 19 meeting, the committee heard more than an hour of testimony on repealing Rule 18.2.7 of the packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) program. The rule allows producers to appeal the dues charged to them by producer responsibility organization (PRO) Circular Action Alliance (CAA).

Under the appeal process laid out in the rule, the producers would first have an evidentiary hearing with the EPR advisory board. The board would then make a recommendation to the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission Director, who would have the final say.

Jennifer Berman, assistant director of legislative legal services, said the rule exceeds the authority of the advisory board, which has responsibilities described as “advising, reviewing, consulting, recommending, or amending.”

“None of them include the responsibility to hold a hearing,” she told the committee. “Moreover the list of responsibilities set forth … purports to be an exhaustive list, prefaced with the language that the ‘advisory board shall’ and lacking indications that the list can be added to.”

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Iowa, SF 2477 was introduced. It would modify the current extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for batteries.

• In Minnesota, SF 4935 and HF 4819 were introduced. They would require a study of critical materials in the waste stream.

• In Oregon, HB 4144 was signed into law on April 7. It expands the current EPR program for batteries.

• In Kansas, HB 2700 was sent to the governor on April 3. It would create the right to repair for certain consumer electronics.

• In Wisconsin, AB 713 was sent to the governor on April 1. It would create an EPR program for batteries.

Rulemaking News

• In California, The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is challenging the California Department of Resources Recovery and Recycling’s (CalRecycle) choice of textile producer responsibility organization (PRO) in court. AAFA filed a petition on March 27 alleging that Landbell USA, the PRO CalRecycle selected to run the textile EPR program, does not meet statutory requirements. AAFA helped form the Textile Renewal Alliance, which was one of three PROs that applied to CalRecycle to run the program. It is asking CalRecycle to vacate its selection of Landbell and re-open the PRO selection process.

“The statute requires the approved PRO be formed by producers of covered products. Landbell USA was not formed by producers and does not represent producer interests. Instead, it was formed by a foreign EPR service provider and management company, Landbell Group … Selecting Landbell USA turns the statute on its head.” –AAFA’s legal complaint

• In Colorado, at the April 8 packaging EPR advisory board meeting Shoshana Micon, of the American Forest & Paper Association AF&PA, joined the board in the manufacturer of recycled paper products seat, while Deborah Nelson, of PRO Circular Action Alliance, joined as the regulatory PRO seat. The board also heard an update on the Interchange 360 independent producer plan, which covers oil and lubricant packaging. Shelly Fuller, director of operations at Interchange, said there are 39 producers registered with the program, which she estimates represents 60% to 70% of the market share. The PRO has been working to create fee setting principals with a working group, expanding collection access to seven sites, and signed processing agreements with Canadian companies RPM and GFL.

Program Updates

• In Oregon, a judge ruled that the AF&PA cannot join the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) in a lawsuit against Oregon’s packaging EPR program. NAW members were granted an injunction by the Oregon court in February, making it so they are exempt from the program while the lawsuit proceeds. The judge also clarified that the injunction only applies to companies that were NAW members as of Feb. 6.

“We are disappointed by the court’s decision denying our motion to join the challenge to Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act. While we respectfully disagree with the ruling, AF&PA remains fully committed to pursuing all available legal and strategic options to protect our members’ interests.” –Heidi Brock, AF&PA president and CEO

• In Washington, the state Department of Ecology opened a request for information to help develop the statewide recycling lists and needs assessments required under the packaging EPR law. The RFI is open from April 1 to May 8. Ecology is requesting “datasets, studies, methodologies, and recommendations to evaluate covered materials for statewide lists and identify recycling system service, access, gaps, and opportunities.”

• In California, twenty-nine compostable food service packaging items made from sugarcane/bagasse were removed from the approved food service packaging list under sustainable packaging law SB 1335, including 17 items manufactured by Pactiv Evergreen and 12 items manufactured by SYSCO.

• In California, Circular CRV submitted its revised report for Q4 of 2025. CalRecycle has found the report incomplete twice and must make a determination on this report by May 3.

• In California, CalRecycle added 10 manufacturers to its covered battery-embedded product list, including BISSELL, Duralast, and Trek Bicycle Corporation. In addition, Panasonic, Prime Wire and Cable, Samsung, and Wah updated their product lists.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• In India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change mandated that food-grade packaging must contain 40% recycled material, effective April 1, up from the previous 30% requirement.

• At the federal level, the U.S. EPA classified microplastics as a priority contaminant under the Safe Drinking Water Act, “unlocking focused research and potential future regulation.” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also announced STOMP: Systematic Targeting Of MicroPlastics, a $144 million program to measure, research, and address microplastics and nanoplastics in the human body. Anja Brandon, Ocean Conservancy’s director of plastics policy, said in a comment that “there’s no doubt we need more research, but prevention is key” when it comes to microplastics.

Looking Forward

• In California, CalRecycle will hold a public information session April 14 on the packaging EPR needs assessment, specifically looking at collection, processing, end markets, and consumer education.

–Marissa Heffernan

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Today is also the deadline to apply for eight open positions on California’s SB 54 advisory board.

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Alabama, HJR 316 was introduced. It would encourage the governor to promote the state so it can “become the epicenter” of textile recycling in response to textile extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in other states that are “out of touch and unduly burdensome.”

• In Georgia, SR 610 passed the Senate and was adopted on March 31. It creates a Senate Study Committee on Improving and Increasing Recycling.

• In Kansas, the House and Senate reached agreement on amendments to HB 2700 on March 27. It would create the right to repair certain consumer electronics.

• In Kentucky, SB 49 was sent to the governor’s desk on March 31. It creates an EPR program for batteries.

• In Massachusetts, H 5307 was introduced. It’s a study bill that combines several other bills on MRF disclosure, circularity and battery EPR.

• In New Hampshire, HB 1602 crossed chambers on March 20. It would create an EPR program for batteries.

• In Wisconsin, SB 702 and SB 895 failed on March 23. They would have created EPR programs for batteries.

• In Wisconsin, SB 778 failed on March 23. It would have created an EPR program for packaging.

Rulemaking News

• In California, applications for eight open positions on the packaging EPR advisory board close today, April 2, at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

• In Europe, the European Commission released more guidance for implementation of its Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which takes effect on Aug. 12. Trade group Europen said it falls short of what’s needed, Packaging Dive reported.

Program Updates

• In Maryland, a paint EPR program rolled out on April 1. It’s run by national producer responsibility organization (PRO) PaintCare.

• In Washington, the deadline for producers of products covered under the state’s minimum recycled content law to register and report was April 1. The Department of Ecology received over 224 registrations by the morning of the deadline.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• In a March 31 LinkedIn live talk, “Glass packaging in EU vs. U.S. Packaging Regulations,” President of the Glass Packaging Institute Scott DeFife said he thinks EPR programs “when tuned the right way, can benefit glass,” there are persistent problems, like using weight measurements metrics that result in very high fees. DeFife pointed to Oregon as an example, but added that stakeholders have been “working feverishly with the regulators and PRO in Oregon to reduce glass fees” and he expects to see results in the next couple months.

Looking Forward

• In California, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) will hold an informal public workshop on covered electronic waste recycling payment rates on April 16.

• Also in California, public comments on PRO Carpet America Recovery Effort’s revised differential assessments plan amendment are due April 13.

–Marissa Heffernan

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Florida, S 806 and H 1255 died in committee on March 13. They would have created the right to repair for portable wireless devices.

• In Florida, H 1067 and S 912 died in committee on March 13. They would have created an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for batteries.

• In Kansas, HB 2700 passed the Senate on March 19. It would create the right to repair for certain consumer electronics.

• In Minnesota, SF 4679 and HF 4565 were introduced. They would create an EPR program for batteries, amend the current battery landfill ban, and ban mercury in batteries.

• In New Hampshire, HB 451 was vetoed by the governor on March 19. It would have created an EPR program for paint.

• In Vermont, H 915 passed its third reading in the House on March 20. It would update the state’s current deposit refund system (DRS) for beverage containers, requiring the formation of a producer responsibility organization (PRO).

• In Wisconsin, AB 772 died on March 23. It would have created an EPR program for packaging.

• In Wisconsin, AB 911 was sent to the governor on March 23. It would create an EPR program for batteries.

Rulemaking News

• In California, at the March 20 packaging EPR advisory board meeting, the board heard an update on the recently completed needs assessment. Several public commenters said they were unhappy with the process, as they felt not enough changes had been made in response to public comments. The board also discussed how expansion of infrastructure can happen as directed under SB 54 if there is not enough physical space to upgrade facilities or store more materials.

• In California, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) resubmitted the SB 54 regulations to the Office of Administrative Law for approval on March 19. The regulations will be approved or denied by May 1. If they are approved, producers have 30 days to register with PRO Circular Action Alliance and report 2023 baseline supply data.

• In Washington, the state Department of Ecology announced it is starting rulemaking for the Recycling Reform Act, the state’s packaging EPR program.

Program Updates

• In California, CalRecycle deemed Circular CRV Association’s revised report for the final quarter of 2025 incomplete again, as it is missing information about beverage containers redeemed for some locations that were operating in the time period.

• In California, CalRecycle found the Carpet America Recovery Effort’s 2024 annual report noncompliant. CARE met or exceeded 10 out of its 13 performance goals for 2024, but was under its collection goal by 9.3 million pounds and slightly over its disposal goal.

• In California, CalRecycle added 56 uncoated paperboard items manufactured by Environment Pulp and Packaging to the list of approved foodservice packaging under SB 1335, a sustainable packaging law. By type, there were two trays, six boxes, eight bowls, 20 clamshells, and 20 plates added.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• The U.S. Plastics Pact released a report, “Reuse in Retail Initiative Scoping Phase”. It noted that EPR fee structures that incentivize pre-competitive collaboration on reuse, PRO investment in return infrastructure, and integration of reuse into DRS and EPR legislation are all policy levers that could help increase reuse in retail.

Looking Forward

• In California, CalRecycle will hold a public information session on the SB 54 needs assessment on April 6. It will cover source reduction, reuse and refill, and consumer education and access specifically.

• In California, CalRecycle will hold a paint stewardship permanent regulations informal workshop on May 18.

–Marissa Heffernan

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Overall, the bills require that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) must make available on “fair and reasonable terms” documentation, replacement parts and tools for the diagnosis, maintenance or repair of the covered items. Those must be made available to both independent repair providers and any owner of a covered device.

So far, one has passed through the House and Senate, in Kansas, but is bogged down in a disagreement about amendments. Four bills have failed or been left in committee, in Florida, Virginia, and Wyoming. Sixteen bills are still active, in Colorado, Hawai’i, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and at the federal level.

The topic has seen lots of legislative activity in recent years – in 2025, there were 34 bills introduced specifically for consumer electronics, and in 2024 there were 22. Similar bills for other kinds of devices have also proliferated.

California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington have all enacted right-to-repair consumer electronics laws.

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Hawai’i, SR 128, SCR 136, HR 195, and HCR 205 were introduced. They would require a study on recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable labeling in the state and if it is misleading.

• In Maryland, SB 553 was voted out of the Senate and into the House on March 13. It would re-establish the Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety.

• In Minnesota, SF 4610 was introduced. It would ban hotels from providing single-use plastic toiletries.

• In Oklahoma, HB 1907 was voted out of the House and into the Senate on March 10. It would create an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for batteries.

• In Tennessee, SB 269 stalled in committee. It would have created an EPR program for packaging.

• In Wisconsin, AB 702 passed the Senate on March 17. It would create an EPR program for batteries.

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Rulemaking News

• In Washington, at the March 13 EPR advisory board meeting, Circular Action Alliance’s Julie Gilbertson joined the board and all board members were assigned to subcommittees. In addition, consultants shared updates on the needs assessment process. Joel Schoening, with RRS, explained how the statewide recycling list is being developed. Materials will be scored on a scale of strong, moderate, concerning, and challenging to recycle. Factors include harmonization with other states.

• In Colorado, the packaging EPR advisory board is seeking applications to fill two seats, one for an environmental or community-based nonprofit organization (term ends 2028) and for a retail association (term ends 2027).

Program Updates

• In California, the Circular CRV Association submitted its fourth quarter report, noting that it has two fully operational redemption sites as of the end of 2025, covering four convenience zones. From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the locations redeemed 18,071 containers. It collected about $756,000 in stewardship fees in December.

• In California, a coalition of 18 associations sued the state over SB 343, a truth in labeling law set to take effect in October. The lawsuit claims the law, which restricts the use of certain symbols and language on packages unless it is considered recyclable in the state, is a violation of the First Amendment. The National Stewardship Action Council released its own statement, arguing that SB 343 is “a necessary step toward restoring integrity and trust in the recycling system.”

“SB 343 operates as government-imposed censorship, prohibiting product makers from informing consumers when their packaging is recyclable unless the material satisfies rigid and arbitrary regulatory criteria set by the state.” –Coalition suing to block SB 343

“SB 343 aligns recyclability claims with real-world conditions. This approach is consistent with longstanding legal precedent allowing governments to restrict misleading commercial claims and protect consumers. Don’t lie on the label.” –National Stewardship Action Council

• In Oregon, the American Forest & Paper Association today filed to take part in National Association of Wholesale’s lawsuit challenging the state’s packaging EPR program. It’s asking for the same pause on enforcing the program against its members that NAW was granted. According to 2022 data from the state, about 26% of all material recovered was cardboard or paper.

• In Washington, the E-Cycle Washington program collected 995,531 pounds of TVs, computers, and monitors for recycling in February, making the year-to-date 2026 collection total 2.12 million pounds. That’s about 7% more than what was collected over the same period in 2025.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• In Colorado, the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) filed a lawsuit against the packaging EPR plan. The lawsuit alleges that “the way Colorado is currently implementing its recycling act is unlawful.” It’s asking the courts to prevent the state from enforcing the program for ILMA members and to find that companies “cannot be forced to participate in private recycling programs.” In a statement, the ILMA said it “has heard members loud and clear” that EPR laws “are an existential threat.” The statement said fees often exceed profit margins, and in Colorado, EPR fees would be 56 cents per gallon for packaged lubricants.

“This lawsuit is the first major step in a wholistic [sic] strategy to address the flaws in EPR legislation, which is rapidly creating a costly patchwork of state regulations that harms small businesses. ILMA is acting now so members do not have to face this threat alone.” –Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association

• The American Chemistry Council released a statement praising the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s solicitation of comments on chemical recycling technologies under the Clean Air Act. Ross Eisenberg, president of ACC’s America’s Plastic Makers division, said in the statement that he hopes the result will be “clarifying that pyrolysis technologies used for advanced recycling are not forms of incineration under the Clean Air Act.”

Looking Forward

• In Oregon, a committee meeting on rulemaking for the packaging EPR law will be held on March 30. This rulemaking will “improve clarity, make identified corrections and provide increased consistency.”

–Marissa Heffernan

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• At the federal level, HB 7563 was introduced. It would ban the export of rare earth magnets, including in electronics, in some cases.

• In Connecticut, SB 457 was introduced. It would create a deposit refund system (DRS) for beverage containers.

• In Connecticut, HB 5524 was introduced. It would ban PS containers in restaurants, single-use food service items unless requested, and single-use straws containing PFAS.

• In Hawaii, HB 1948 passed out of the House and into the Senate on March 12. It would ban plastic toiletry bottles in hotel rooms.

• In New Jersey, SB 3830 was carried over from the last session. It would create guidelines for state purchase of items made with recycled content.

• In New Jersey, ACR 131 was carried over from the last session. It urges the state Department of Environmental Protection to establish a plastics recycling marketplace.

• In Oregon, HB 4144 was sent to the governor on March 5. It would expand extended producer responsibility (EPR) for batteries.

• In Oregon, HB 4030 died in committee. It would have exempted some berry, meat, and seafood packaging from the existing packaging EPR program.

• In Rhode Island, S 2794 was introduced. It would create a DRS for beverage containers.

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Rulemaking News

• In Minnesota, Eunomia Research & Consulting started the data collection phase of the needs assessment required under the state’s packaging EPR law. Of the five surveys slated to go out, three are live, for counties, municipalities, and facilities. Surveys for haulers and recyclers will be open soon.

Program Updates

• In California, CalRecycle added five manufacturers to its covered battery-embedded product list: Electrolux Consumer Products, Moonrays, NOCO, OM Digital Solutions, and StyleCraft. In addition, Black Diamond Equipment and Wahl updated their product lists.

• In Oregon, packaging EPR PRO Circular Action Alliance submitted an updated responsible end market program plan amendment to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would allow end market verification to begin immediately, while work moves forward on a nationally harmonized REM certification standard. It includes an interim verification pathway while a formal third-party standard is developed. DEQ will review the amendment, and the public comment period is open through Mar. 27.

Looking Forward

• The Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council will meet March 18 and discuss the covered product leakage study, potential updates to recycling acceptance lists, recommendations to the second draft of CAA’s proposed responsible end market program plan amendment, and updates to the specifically identified material designations.

–Marissa Heffernan

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In the U.S., 10 states have existing deposit refund systems (DRS) for beverage containers: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont. Many of those laws are decades old, and some of those states have been working to modernize the laws by increasing deposits or adding more beverages to the covered list. Now, lawmakers in several states are looking to add a producer responsibility organization (PRO) element to the programs.

Here’s a look at where the 2026 bills stand.

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Massachusetts, HB 5149 was introduced. It directs the state agency to study the effect of a dozen plastic-related bills introduced last legislative session.

• In Minnesota, HF 3713 was introduced. It would create an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for textiles, carpet, and mattresses.

• In Missouri, HB 3504 was introduced. It would create an EPR program for packaging.

• In Rhode Island, H 7911 was introduced. It would create an EPR program for packaging and beverage containers.

• In Rhode Island, H 7910 and S 2656 were introduced. They would create an EPR program for packaging.

• In Washington, HB 1420 and SB 6174 failed to cross chambers by the cutoff date of Feb. 17. They would have created an EPR program for textiles.

• In Washington, HB 1607 failed to cross chambers by the cutoff date of Feb. 17. It would have created a deposit refund system (DRS) for beverage containers.

• In Washington, HB 2271 and SB 6156 failed to cross chambers by the cutoff date of Feb. 17. They would have added more products to current post-consumer recycled resin usage requirements.

• In Washington, HB 2301 failed to cross chambers by the cutoff date of Feb. 17. It would have created an EPR program for paint.

• In Washington, HB 2633 and SB 6271 failed to cross chambers by the cutoff date of Feb. 17. They would have created an EPR program for mattresses.

• In Washington, SB 6030 failed to cross chambers by the cutoff date of Feb. 17. It would have repealed current fees on plastic bags.

• In Wyoming, HB 15 died in committee. It would have created the right to repair for certain consumer electronics.

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Rulemaking News

• The Carton Council pushed back against information in California’s recent EPR needs assessment. First, according to the organization, gable-top and aseptic cartons should be considered one category, as “they are almost universally collected, sorted, and recycled together in a single material stream.” The Carton Council has been requesting that the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) combine the categories since 2022, it noted, but “to date, CalRecycle has not responded to those requests nor explained why this artificial distinction is being maintained.” That separation confused consumers and survey takers, the Carton Council said, and using the technical term “aseptic carton” likely added more confusion. In addition, the Carton Council believes the survey was assessed against the wrong benchmark – using the SB 54 covered material list, which is what will be collected once SB 54 takes effect, instead of SB 343 collection access figures. Cartons are not currently listed as recyclable on the covered material list, but the Carton Council “anticipates cartons will be included in CalRecycle’s next scheduled update.” The group said it notified CalRecycle of its concerns on Nov. 10, but “we are deeply disappointed that this methodological issue was not addressed prior to publication.”

• Also in California, CalRecycle selected Landbell USA as the producer responsibility organization (PRO) for the textile EPR program. Circular Textile Alliance and Textile Renewal Alliance also applied. Producers of covered products have until July 1 to join Landbell USA. The National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) applauded CalRecycle for its “careful due diligence and thoughtful selection of Landbell USA.” NSAC’s Executive Director Heidi Sanborn will be a member of Landbell’s advisory committee.

• In Washington, the state Department of Ecology selected Circular Action Alliance as the PRO for the packaging EPR program. CAA is now the official PRO in six of the seven states in the U.S. with packaging EPR. Maine has not yet selected a stewardship organization.

Program Updates

• In California, CalRecycle accepted PaintCare’s explanation and determination that it does not need to make amendments to its stewardship plan ahead of the five-year review. Its plan was initially approved on Jan. 24, 2022.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• EPR laws in California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington include responsible end market requirements, and Waste Dive reported on what it will take to succeed.

• In California, CalRecycle removed four items from the List of Approved Food Service Packaging under SB 1335. The two sugarcane compostable items and two HDPE items were initially manufactured by Meisei Co., but are no longer produced by the company.

–Marissa Heffernan

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In California, AB 2226 was introduced. It would repeal the existing requirement that “pre-checkout” bags be compostable.

• In California, AB 2245 was introduced. It would create an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for lubricant packaging.

• In California, AB 2481 was introduced. It would allow funds from the deposit refund system (DRS) to be used for quality incentive payments for non-beverage glass.

• In California, SB 1180 was introduced. It would set more parameters for the use of SB 54’s Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund.

• In California, SB 1341 was introduced. It would allow the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to reduce the DRS processing fee for a wine or distilled spirit in a box, bladder, or pouch.

• In Kentucky, HJR 72 was introduced. It would establish the Circular Economy and Advanced Recovery Advisory Working Group.

• In South Carolina, H 5238 was introduced. It would support efforts to reduce waste generation and increase opportunities for waste diversion through recycling.

• In Vermont, H 915 was introduced. It would update the current DRS for beverage containers and require producers to join a stewardship organization.

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Rulemaking News

• In California, producer responsibility organization (PRO) Circular Action Alliance (CAA) gave an SB 54 implementation update via webinar on Feb. 20 that had 2,300 registered participants. The PRO emphasized that without final regulations from the state, which have been set back again and again, it’s difficult to provide clarity. “We have to be consistent with the regulations but we don’t have the regulations,” said Emily Coven, California executive director for CAA. However, so far 2,622 producers have registered in the state and 1,984 have submitted 2023 baseline reports. Shane Buckingham, CAA chief of staff, added that “we continue to build the plan amidst that uncertainty and we continue to build the plan in the absence of that information.” He reminded producers of the upcoming May 31 deadline for annual source reduction and supply reports.

• In Maine, the state Board of Environmental Protection reviewed amendments to the state’s packaging EPR law. The amendments include bringing the rule in line with legislative action taken in the last session that updated definitions, harmonizing it somewhat with Colorado’s program, and adding the Packaging Material Types List as an appendix. The amendments garnered plenty of public comment.

• In Minnesota, applications are open through March 16 to fill a vacancy on the packaging EPR advisory board, representing a waste facility that receives and sorts covered materials. The term ends Dec. 31, 2028.

Program Updates

• In California, CalRecycle found that the Circular CRV Association’s quarterly report was incomplete and gave the dealer cooperative 30 days to submit the missing information.

• In California, CalRecycle opened a 15-day written comment period for proposed changes to the SB 1013  permanent regulations, concerning the addition of new beverage containers to the state deposit return system. Comments are due by March 11.

• In Oregon, public comment on Circular Action Alliance’s second draft program plan amendment concerning responsible end markets is open through March 27. Comments can be submitted to rethinkrecycling@deq.oregon.gov.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• In California and New York, chemical recycling is a stumbling block for a legal case and an EPR bill, WasteDive reported.

• In California, the California Retailers Association launched the California Retail Law Center, a “legal and policy initiative designed to support retail legal teams navigating California’s complex and fast-evolving legal and regulatory environment.”

–Marissa Heffernan

*This story was updated at 2:30 pm on Feb. 26 to clarify the changes H 915 would have on Vermont’s existing DRS.

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California is deeper into the process, after passing an extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging law in 2022. Rulemaking has encountered several setbacks, however, leaving producers clamoring for more information and all stakeholders facing tight deadlines.

Minnesota is in the beginning of its rulemaking, as legislators there passed a packaging EPR law in 2024. It has had several advisory board meetings, and this preliminary needs assessment will help inform a more robust report later on. The preliminary process garnered concern about accuracy from board members.

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• In Colorado, SB 90 was introduced. It would exempt critical infrastructure from the Consumer Repair Bill of Rights Act.

• In Hawaii, HB 1924 moved out of committee. It would create an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for mattresses.

• In Kansas, HB 2700 passed out of the House on Feb. 18. It would create the right to repair certain consumer electronics.

• In Kentucky, HB 372 was withdrawn on Feb. 11. It would have promoted chemical recycling.

• In New Hampshire, HB 1679 was ruled “inexpedient to legislate” and tabled on Feb. 11. It would have created DRS for beverage containers.

• In New Hampshire, HB 1789 was ruled “inexpedient to legislate” and tabled on Feb. 6. It would have created an EPR program for packaging.

• In New York, S 8832 passed both chambers on Feb. 10, and was substituted in for companion bill A 9504. It will create an EPR program for batteries.

• In Rhode Island, H 7620 and S 2531 were introduced. They would ban certain chemical recycling technologies.

• In Virginia, HB 1251 was left in committee on Feb. 18. It would have created the right to repair certain consumer electronics.

• In Washington, HB 1420 did not advance out of committee, missing this year’s cutoff deadline. It would have created an EPR program for textiles.

• At the federal level, HB 7502 was introduced. It would ban misleading recycled content claims, among other things. The full text is not yet available. Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Plastics Policy Anja Brandon said in a statement that the bill has serious implications for chemical recycling and state preemption.

“Mass balance is like accounting for plastics recycling: There are ways it can be entirely above board, and then there are ways where the numbers might add up on paper, but they don’t reflect what’s actually happening in the real world. Broadly codifying all mass balance accounting methods as acceptable, without adequate safeguards or restrictions on plastics-to-fuels, creates a system ripe for greenwashing.” –Anya Brandon, director of plastics policy at Ocean Conservancy

Rulemaking News

• In California, eight seats on the packaging EPR advisory board will open up on June 30, so the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is now accepting applications. The seats are: statewide city association, ocean advocacy organization, environmental justice organization, recycling service provider or an association of recycling service providers, composting industry operating in the state, two manufacturers of recycled-content covered materials, and statewide association representing the grocery sector (non-voting).

• CalRecycle also published several facets of the California needs assessment, including sections on consumer education and access, reuse and refill systems, and the current state of collection, processing, and end markets. The reports found that MRFs process an estimated 5.6 million tons of covered material, with some additional capacity, while organics facilities process an estimated 5.7 million tons, with a total permitted capacity of 8.3 million tons annually.

• At the federal level, over 50 organizations signed a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in regards to a recent National Organic Standards Board determination that synthetic compostable materials are not allowable organic compost feedstocks. The letter asked that the department publish an interim final rule in the Federal Register to allow for another public comment period.

• In Minnesota, the packaging EPR advisory board announced that it has filled two of its empty seats, appointing Shannon Pinc of NatureWorks to the composting facility seat and Allie Sauers of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, filling the retail association seat. At the Feb. 18 meeting, the board also assigned members to its four subcommittees: recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction.

• Also in Minnesota, the state published the preliminary packaging EPR assessment and needs review. The 118-page document assesses the current management of covered products, tonnage of materials, existing infrastructure, and available markets. It found that about 69% of residents have curbside recycling access, generally every other week. In terms of material generated, the report estimated that about 829,178 tons of covered material is introduced into the state by producers annually (362,228 tons of paper, 122,690 tons of rigid plastic, 115,695 tons of flexible plastic, 55,503 tons of metal, 152,614 tons of glass, and 20,448 tons of compostables. It noted that there are several data gaps in the report, including on programs at the city and township level, and the full needs assessment will include “substantial primary data collection.” The full needs assessment is due by Dec. 31.

Program Updates

• Washington announced in January, the E-Cycle Washington program collected 1.13 million pounds of TVs, computers and monitors for recycling, slightly less than the 1.16 million pounds collected in the prior year period.

• In California, CalRecycle added 14 manufacturers to its covered battery-embedded product list. They include: AlphaTheta Music Americas, Black Diamond Equipment, Conair, Manscaped and Tech Candy, among others.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• The National Stewardship Action Council expanded its Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Implementation Working Group nationally, after years of work in California.

• The Pew Charitable Trust published a report on how to reduce plastic pollution in the U.S. It examined the effects of different policies, including material phaseouts, deposit return systems, and reuse.

–Marissa Heffernan

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And now, policy:

Bill Updates

• At the federal level, HB 7404 was introduced. It would create the right to repair consumer electronics.

• In Colorado, HB 1111 was introduced. It would create an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for pesticide containers.

• In Connecticut, SB 147 was introduced. It calls for a study on EPR for solar panels, vapes and aerosol paints.

• In Connecticut, HB 5151 was introduced. It would require the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to create recommendations, including on EPR, based on the latest waste study.

• In Georgia, HB 1237 was introduced. It would create an EPR program for packaging.

• In Illinois, HB 5112 was introduced. It would implement a fee for carryout bags.

• In Illinois, SB 3157 was introduced. It would create an EPR program for lubricants and related products.

• In Illinois, SB 3362 was introduced. It would increase fines for violation of several existing EPR acts.

• In Illinois, SB 3915 was introduced. It would create an EPR program for household hazardous waste.

• In Illinois, SB 3742 was introduced. It would require retailers to charge 5 cents for plastic bags.

• In Kansas, HB 2700 was introduced. It would create the right to repair certain consumer electronics.

• In Maryland, SB 553 / HB 833 are awaiting hearings. They would re-establish the Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety.

• In Maryland, SB 926 is awaiting a hearing. It would alter the definition of “exempt material” under the existing packaging EPR program.

• In Maryland, SB 6030 is awaiting a hearing. It would create an EPR program for mattresses.

• In Maryland, HB 796 is awaiting a hearing. It would exclude chemical processes from the definition of recycling.

• In Maryland, HB 984 is awaiting a hearing. It would create an EPR program for mattresses.

• In Maryland, HB 992 was introduced. It would alter the current EPR program for electronics.

• In Missouri, HB 3193 was introduced. It would phase out single-use plastics in state parks.

• In New Hampshire, HB 451 passed the Senate. It would create an EPR program for paint.

• In New Jersey, S 3391 was carried over from the last legislative session. It would create a deposit refund system (DRS) for beverage containers.

• In New Jersey, A 4069 was carried over from the last session. It would exempt personal property made from 100% recycled materials from sales and use taxes.

• In New York, S 8832 passed the Assembly and returned to the Senate. It would add rechargeable batteries to the current battery stewardship program.

• In Tennessee, an amendment to SB 269 has been proposed. The bill would enact packaging EPR. The amendment would increase the annual revenue exemption level to $10 million, which would exempt all small businesses, as well as adding an exemption for producers generating less than one ton of material annually.

Rulemaking News

• Washington held its first EPR advisory council meeting on Feb. 5. The State Department of Ecology said that while initially it did not plan to have verbal public comment periods at the meeting, after looking at what other states are, it decided that future meetings will have public comment. Meetings will be held every other month, and the next meeting is April 9.

• The federal EPA plans to release its battery EPR framework this summer, WasteDive reported.

• In Colorado, the packaging EPR advisory board met on Feb. 11 and welcomed Astrid Torres, Toppan senior manager for global sustainability in thermoformed and flexible packaging, in the packaging manufacturer seat. There are still two open board seats that need to be filled, representing a manufacturer of recycling paper products and the retail or retail association seat. It also voted to cancel the March board meeting.

• Also in Colorado, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) voluntarily dropped its legal complaint against the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Filed in November, the complaint centered on CDPHE’s recommendation that mass balance credit methods not be used when calculating PCR content in the state’s EPR program plan.

Program Updates

• In California, PaintCare submitted its 2026 program plan review letter to the state on Jan. 23. The letter noted that while PaintCare is not changing its current program plan at this time, it is currently evaluating the need for a fee increase and may submit a plan amendment.

Hard-to-Categorize News

• On the international level, the United Nations Environment Programme selected a new chair to lead negotiations on the global plastic pollution treaty, after former chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso stepped down in October due to personal and professional reasons. The treaty process repeatedly failed to meet deadlines. New chair Julio Cordano, of Chile, said he is “willing and determined to play a leading role in helping the Committee cross the finish line.”

• In Europe, the European Commission’s Waste Technical Adaptation Committee for the Single-Use Plastics Directive approved a directive that allows for a mass balance method to be used when chemically recycling plastics on Feb. 6. Zero Waste Europe said the decision will likely have ripple effects on “other key pieces of legislation such as the Packaging, Packaging Waste Regulation.”

–Marissa Heffernan

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