Launch of the Extended Producer Responsibility Program in Oregon

July 1st will mark the launch of the long-awaited extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging in Oregon, the first of its kind in the United States. The Circular Action Alliance (CAA), the organization in charge of coordinating the implementation, has confirmed that it will meet the deadlines set in both Oregon and other states involved.

Jeff Fielkow, CEO of CAA, stated during the Packaging Recycling Summit that, despite initial doubts, they have demonstrated that the system is viable and operational. “The next stage is to put it into practice”, he said.

Regarding the collection of producer data for 2024, Fielkow admitted that the weeks leading up to the March 31 deadline were tense, as most of the reports arrived at the last minute, in the style of “tax season”. To facilitate the process, CAA granted a one-month grace period to producers in Oregon, a measure that is also expected to be applied in Colorado, whose deadline is July 31.

One of the most complex points has been determining who should report, especially in the case of the food sector, where not only primary packaging but also secondary and tertiary packaging must be taken into account.

Although regulations vary between states, the CAA is working to harmonize processes such as definitions, covered materials, and implementation times, in order to simplify compliance for companies. To this end, it offers a unified reporting portal, payment channels, and personalized technical assistance.

“This is a big learning curve for many, but with the right guidance, it is possible to move forward successfully”, concluded Fielkow.