A federal judge has halted enforcement of California’s SB 343 just weeks before the “Truth in Recycling” law was set to take effect, ruling that key provisions are unconstitutionally vague and that the state failed...

In the last year, business groups, manufacturers, and even environmental groups and state attorneys general have filed an array of lawsuits challenging new state extended producer responsibility for packaging laws. None of the cases have...

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ Oregon challenge is about to go to trial. A decision, expected before year’s end, could influence future laws and litigation. Extended producer responsibility for packaging programs in the United States...

On June 9, 2026, H.R. 9231, the No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026, was introduced by Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced an identical Senate...

CEFLEX warns that rising EPR fees for flexible plastic packaging must translate into measurable recycling improvements, not just higher producer costs. The organization says a better EPR system design is needed to support investment in...

Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Oregon today released its first annual report on the state’s paper and packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, highlighting how producer-funded investments are beginning to roll out across the recycling system....

Flexible packaging policy recently entered a new venue—the courtroom. After years of charging ahead with new legislation and implementing regulations, state governments have suddenly found themselves on the defense legally. Since last year, packaging producers...

Extended producer responsibility for packaging has become the talk of the industry, but mandates for PCR, or postconsumer recycled content, also are getting a lot of attention as brands work on compliance. Despite many brands’...

A 17-state coalition led by Nebraska’s attorney general has filed a federal lawsuit challenging SB 54, California’s extended producer responsibility and source reduction law. That’s according to an emailed announcement from the National Association of...

EU member states must secure an extra 440,000 tonnes of post-consumer recyclate from flexible polyolefins each year to satisfy the recycled content mandates of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations, according to a fresh analysis...

Circular Action Alliance California (CAA) today submitted its California program plan to the Packaging Producer Responsibility Advisory Board as required under California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54), marking a key milestone in the state’s...

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently approved an amendment to its recycling plan, with the changes intended to enhance responsible end markets (REM) for materials entering its extended producer responsibility (EPR) program. The...

200 companies have signed a joint call urging the European Commission not to reopen the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – instead ensuring its ‘timely and effective’ implementation through secondary legislation. In the letter, multiple...

In the opening segment of our five-part series on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ethylene oxide (EO) proposed rollback, we spoke with industry leaders Sarah Rosenblum Ptach, president and CEO of Canyon Labs, and Raymond...

The first consolidated reporting deadline for extended producer responsibility packaging programs just passed, but that doesn’t mean the work is over. In many ways it’s just beginning — and opportunities to improve abound, according to...

Across the United States, policymakers are increasingly focused on packaging policy as they work to reduce waste, improve recycling, and advance sustainability goals. These are important objectives, and the flexible packaging industry shares them. However,...

Packaging policy conversations often focus on what packaging should become and far less on what it actually takes to change packaging systems safely, responsibly and at scale. As policymakers pursue goals tied to recycling, sustainability and...

Ensuring responsible end markets for recyclables has been a core tenet of the state’s push for packaging EPR, especially because Oregon recyclers were heavily impacted by fallout from China’s 2017 National Sword policy. The focus...

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-01) bipartisan legislation, the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, passed the House Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee today, advancing the bill one step closer to full House consideration. The legislation would establish...

California just gave plastic producers until 2032 to make all their packaging recyclable or compostable — the most ambitious deadline in the country. Advocates say it doesn’t go far enough. Producers say it goes too...

Litigation is brewing in California as two major recycling regulations — extended producer responsibility and source reduction law SB 54 and “truth in labeling” law SB 343 — are slated for implementation this year. CalRecycle...

After California finalized SB 54 regulations on May 1, CalRecycle released multiple guidance documents on May 11 addressing some important questions for producers navigating compliance. The extended producer responsibility and source reduction law has big...

The U.S. Plastics Pact (USPP) released a new resource outlining how well-designed policies can accelerate composting infrastructure, support compostable packaging systems, and divert food waste and food-contaminated materials from landfills. Enabling Composting at Scale highlights...

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection still expects producers will owe money this year in conjunction with the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law. But actually contracting with a stewardship organization to get that...

The milestone gives way to next compliance steps for the sweeping extended producer responsibility and source reduction law. Circular Action Alliance also published estimated fees for producers. Permanent regulations for SB 54, California’s highly anticipated...

Wet, soggy toilet paper. That’s what New York could have to look forward to. If activists get their way, New York lawmakers could soon enact legislation that will lead to toilet paper, diapers, paper towels,...

A sweeping state recycling bill calls for scores of companies to stop using plastic wrap when packaging products, which critics gripe could leave crucial everyday items such as diapers and toilet paper soggy. The proposed...