Packaging EPR Series: Exploring EPR Applicability Across the Packaging Value Chain
As mentioned in our previous post in this series, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation continues to expand, as EPR packaging laws have been enacted in California, Colorado, Maine, Oregon, and Minnesota. Additionally, Vermont has implemented an EPR law for household hazardous waste (HHW). These laws require Producers to join Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) or Stewardship Organizations (SOs) and adhere to state-specific regulations. Producers and Brand Owners must understand the relevance of these laws to best prepare for changes in legislation and comply with requirements. Therefore, diving deep into the EPR applicability at various stages of the packing value chain becomes relevant.
EPR is a policy approach that shifts the responsibility for managing post-consumer packaging from local governments to Producers. Producers must pay fees based on the amount of packaging they sell. State-approved PROs or SOs collect these fees to improve recycling infrastructure. Each stage of the packaging value chain is relevant for Producers to be aligned with EPR laws, as Producers are responsible for ensuring that products manufactured and/or sold in each state comply with the enacted laws:
Material Sourcing: Producers face eco-modulation fees for using materials that are difficult to recycle or environmentally harmful. To reduce costs, EPR incentivizes the use of sustainable materials, reduced volume, and lighter packaging. Additionally, EPR often includes mandates for minimum recycled content, driving demand for recycled materials and impacting sourcing decisions.
Packaging Design: EPR encourages companies to design packaging that is recyclable, reusable, or compostable. The legislation also promotes innovation in product design, materials, and manufacturing processes to create packaging with a lower environmental impact and better recyclability.
Distribution and Logistics: EPR promotes packaging solutions that reduce the volume and weight, leading to lower transportation costs and emissions. It also encourages the use of reusable containers to minimize packaging waste in the supply chain.
Retail and Consumer Use: EPR drives the creation of consumer-friendly packaging as well as educational outreach on community recycling programs. These efforts ensure that consumers are informed and able to correctly dispose of packaging by separating waste at the source to ensure high-quality recycling.
End-of-Life Management: EPR mandates that Producers take responsibility for the collection, proper disposal, and recycling of used packaging, promoting a circular economy, reducing environmental pollution, and ensuring materials are reused rather than wasted. Additionally, EPR programs often include initiatives to educate consumers about responsible waste disposal and recycling practices, increasing public awareness, and encouraging more proactive consumer behavior.
Integrating the requirements of EPR into each stage of the packaging value chain reduces the amount of plastics in the waste stream, and promotes a circular economy. This not only benefits the environment but also ensures Producers and Brand Owners comply with regulatory requirements.
The National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition or “NLCRC” is an industry-led coalition funded by a committed consortium of value chain stakeholders focused on establishing solutions for the recovery and recycling of packaging for petroleum-based and related products utilized in the transportation and industrial applications Industry.
Members include Berry Global, Castrol (part of bp Group), Chevron, CKS Packaging Inc., ExxonMobil, Graham Packaging, Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, Lucas Oil, Nexus Circular, Pennzoil - Quaker State Company, Petroleum Packaging Council, Plastipak Packaging, RPM eco, Safety-Kleen, and Valvoline. For more information, visit https://www.nationallcrc.com
