WASHINGTON ENACTS EPR FOR BATTERIES 

This week, two states moved forward on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). After Governor Jay Inslee signed Washington State’s new legislation on May 11th, it became the 11th state – plus Washington, D.C. – to enact a battery EPR law and the third behind DC and California to include both rechargeable and single-use batteries.

Washington’s action brings the tally of EPR laws in the United States to 132: Seven laws were enacted last year and 2023 is anticipated to eclipse that number – proving that the EPR wave continues to swell but hasn’t even crested yet. READ MORE

MARYLAND PASSES PACKAGING EPR BILL

Although we haven’t seen a new packaging EPR law enacted yet, eight states introduced legislation in 2023 – and Maryland just became the fifth state to move on it. On May 10, Governor Wes Moore signed legislation to establish a government funded needs assessment to be developed by a consultant that will determine the need for new recycling collection and processing infrastructure, along with the costs. The law also requires the establishment of a producer responsibility organization to coordinate producers and a separate advisory council, established by the Maryland Department of Environment, that is tasked with reporting its findings and recommendations to the Governor by December 1, 2024 for consideration in 2025. READ MORE