More Waste And Recycling Policies Could Materialize In 2022

Government plays a major role in helping to create a new circular economy where plastic waste becomes minimal or never becomes waste. The year 2021 was an eventful year for recycling policy and ESG initiatives in the US. Although EPR programs exist in some states for products such as paint and electronics, the movement on legislation accelerated, and EPR laws were passed in Oregon and Maine.

These happenings shed light that 2022 could be an eventful year for new laws to be passed within the lubricant container recycling scope. Most of the bills introduced in 2021 failed to move forward, but it might be the case that post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and extended producer responsibility (EPR) bills move forward during this legislative season.

Some known bills are in progress that might have the potential to become laws during the 2022 legislative year. However, it is expected that the number of bills proposed by other states increase within the lubricant container recycling scope. 

For PCR legislation: 

• New Jersey has in progress the SB 2515 bill. This bill would establish minimum recycled content standards for diverse types of containers such as glass containers, paper carryout bags, plastic trash bags, reusable carryout bags that are made of plastic film, and plastic containers.

For EPR legislation:

• New York has in progress two bills: 

  • S1185 bill would establish an EPR act mandating that producers cannot sell or distribute covered materials within three years of the bill's passage without an approved plan.

  • AB5801 bill details the development of a producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products. Under this program, producers are required to implement a producer responsibility plan, either individually or as a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO)

• Vermont has in progress the H0142 bill. This bill proposes a stewardship program for packaging and paper products. The bill defines a covered entity as any person presenting covered material for collection. Under this proposed regulation, responsible parties must join a stewardship organization. 

This represents an opportunity for the lubricant container industry to come together under a unified approach and collaborate to bring the change needed for recycling hard-to-degrade plastics such as lubricant containers. 

From industries to households, everyone has an essential role in reducing the lubricant container waste problem in the US. The NLCRC founding leaders include Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil - Quaker State Company, Graham Packaging, and Plastipak Packaging. 

Learn how the NLCRC is addressing the waste problem by becoming a member. Connect with us through LinkedIn and Twitter. If you have any questions or inquires, send us an email at hello@nationallcrc.com.