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Maine 1st US state to shift costs of recycling from taxpayers to firms
16 Jul '21
2 min read
Pic: Shutterstock
The US state of Maine has joined more than 40 jurisdictions around the world to require companies that create packaging waste help pay for the costs of recycling. It has become the first state in the United States to pass an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging law (LD 1541) in response to a rise in packaging materials, including those from online retail.
EPR for Packaging has long been proven to be a successful policy in Canada, Europe and elsewhere for reducing costs for municipalities, increasing recycling rates and spurring innovation toward more eco-friendly packaging.
Ten US states are considering enacting such laws this year, with Oregon likely to be next where the governor is expected to soon sign a bill that has already been passed by the state’s legislature, according to US media reports.
“Maine will be a model for other states as the United States joins much of the rest of the developed world in creating a product stewardship?regime that will increase recycling, improve waste management, save property taxpayers money, and put the cost of packaging disposal onto the producers and brand owners where it belongs,” said lead bill co-sponsor and Republican senator Rick Bennett.
Maine’s department of environmental protection (DEP) estimated in a 2019 report that it costs Maine municipalities between?$16 million and $17.5 million each year?to manage packaging waste through recycling or disposal.?Towns have no say in how much packaging waste companies generate and then ship to consumers.
The new EPR for Packaging law was developed after three years of work and input involving the Maine DEP, Maine Municipal Association, international experts in EPR policies and a wide variety of in-state stakeholders, including local businesses.
EPR for Packaging has long been proven to be a successful policy in Canada, Europe and elsewhere for reducing costs for municipalities, increasing recycling rates and spurring innovation toward more eco-friendly packaging.
Ten US states are considering enacting such laws this year, with Oregon likely to be next where the governor is expected to soon sign a bill that has already been passed by the state’s legislature, according to US media reports.
“Maine will be a model for other states as the United States joins much of the rest of the developed world in creating a product stewardship?regime that will increase recycling, improve waste management, save property taxpayers money, and put the cost of packaging disposal onto the producers and brand owners where it belongs,” said lead bill co-sponsor and Republican senator Rick Bennett.
Maine’s department of environmental protection (DEP) estimated in a 2019 report that it costs Maine municipalities between?$16 million and $17.5 million each year?to manage packaging waste through recycling or disposal.?Towns have no say in how much packaging waste companies generate and then ship to consumers.
The new EPR for Packaging law was developed after three years of work and input involving the Maine DEP, Maine Municipal Association, international experts in EPR policies and a wide variety of in-state stakeholders, including local businesses.
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