Developing an extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy for packaging
The Partnership on Waste and Energy, a collaborative effort of Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties, has collaborated with the Product Stewardship Institute to develop an EPR bill for packaging and paper products in Minnesota. The policy is being developed to meet the interests of residents, communities and companies and will prevent waste, increase recycling and save local governments millions of dollars.
EPR policies hold producers (mainly consumer brands) responsible for their products and packaging throughout the entire lifecycle – from product design all the way through to reuse, recycling or safe disposal.
The policy development in Minnesota is occurring in tandem with the development of EPR legislation for packaging and paper products in states across the country. Since 2019, a dozen U.S. states have introduced producer responsibility for packaging legislation. The first four laws in the U.S. passed in Oregon and Maine in 2021 and in Colorado and California in 2022.
With recycling costs rising, stagnate recycling rates and consumer pressure mounting for brands to take action, momentum for producer responsibility bills for packaging and paper products has steadily grown.
Minnesota’s EPR for packaging and paper products bill will benefit from the experiences of states that have been working with the Product Stewardship Institute to develop similar legislation and will contribute to the nationwide groundswell of activity in support of a more just and sustainable waste management system.
Phase I: November 2021 to May 2022
A committee with representatives from local government, the state, the packaging industry and environmental groups convened to develop and draft elements of an EPR bill for packaging and paper products customized to Minnesota.
Phase II: June 2022 to June 2023
A series of additional stakeholder meetings commenced in summer 2022 to solicit feedback on the draft elements of the EPR bill for packaging and paper products. The committee held additional meetings through May 2023 to refine the draft elements of an EPR bill.
Phase III: July 2023 to May 2024
A bill will be developed in late 2023 that incorporates feedback from continued stakeholder meetings and introduced during the 2024 Minnesota legislative session.
See the following documents to learn more:
If you have questions about this effort, would like to request a presentation or want to submit feedback, contact Dan Donkers at dan.donkers@co.ramsey.mn.us or 651-266-1126.