PSI WELCOMES JEN SCHULTZ AS SENIOR ASSOCIATE FOR POLICY AND PROGRAMS! 

PSI is excited to welcome Jen Schultz to the team as our new Senior Associate for Policy and Programs! 

Jen brings over a decade of experience in environmental policy, most recently serving as Program Principal for Environment, Energy, and Transportation at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). At NCSL, she specialized in extended producer responsibility (EPR), supporting legislators and staff across the country through research, technical assistance, and high-level policy dialogues —including the NCSL Public-Private Partnership on Recycling. 

Jen has also worked in state and federal government and with national conservation organizations. She holds bachelor degrees in International Affairs and Geography and a J.D. with a focus on environmental law and policy. At PSI, Jen leads research, facilitates policy development, and supports EPR legislation across multiple product sectors. 

We are thrilled to have Jen on board and look forward to her contributions to PSI’s mission and work! 

OP-ED: EPR ISN’T A THREAT—IT’S THE FUTURE

Recent articles in Plastics News and The WestView News claim that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs burden businesses, raise consumer prices, and stifle innovation. But decades of real-world data show the opposite. 

In Europe and Canada, where EPR systems are well established, recovery rates are significantly higher, packaging designs are more sustainable, and producers have adapted without broad cost hikes. A peer-reviewed Columbia University analysis, discussed at PSI’s 2025 Forum, found no correlation between EPR and increased retail prices—in competitive markets, producers are unable to pass compliance fees on to consumers. 

Instead, EPR incentivizes cost-saving innovation: lighter packaging, recyclable materials, and logistics efficiencies that reduce producer costs. Far from creating red tape, EPR consolidates fragmented local government recycling programs into centralized, industry-managed programs run by a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) that offer greater consistency, accountability, and transparency. The bottom line: EPR shifts financial responsibility off taxpayers and onto the companies that profit from the products—driving circularity, lowering municipal waste costs, and modernizing outdated systems.

OREGON’S PACKAGING EPR PROGRAM—ONE MONTH IN

It’s official: Oregon’s packaging EPR program is no longer a vision—it’s a reality. On July 1, the state launched the first fully operational packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) program in the U.S., setting a high bar for what implementation can look like when it’s built on years of thoughtful policy development and collaboration. 

In just the first month, nearly 2,000 producers submitted reports through the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), Oregon’s designated Producer Responsibility Organization. Fee invoices were sent to over 3,000 companies, and funding has already started flowing to local governments to support expanded recycling access, education, and infrastructure investments. 

With implementation now underway, Oregon stakeholders are now navigating the speed and complexity of implementing the nation’s first packaging EPR law. In an article from Packaging Dive, CAA CEO Jeff Fielkow compared the first reporting cycle to “tax season,” describing how many companies—particularly in the food service sector—faced steep learning curves in understanding what data to collect and how to report it. In response, CAA granted a one-month grace period to support producers still working to comply. 

Other early questions include how Oregon will verify responsible end markets for collected materials, a significant requirement under its law. As Packaging Dive reports, DEQ is actively working with stakeholders to develop a robust tracking and enforcement framework that can meet the law’s intent while remaining practical for the recycling system. 

Of course, a paradigm shift of this magnitude comes with challenges. In July, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) filed a lawsuit in federal court to overturn Oregon’s law, arguing that it violates several constitutional provisions—including the Dormant Commerce Clause, the nondelegation doctrine, and due process. NAW contends that the law imposes burdens on out-of-state businesses and delegates too much authority to a private Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). However, the state and Circular Action Alliance maintain that the program is both fair and legally sound. While the case proceeds, implementation continues uninterrupted, with Oregon officials expressing confidence in the law’s structure and its positive environmental and economic impact. 

Despite growing pains, Oregon’s launch has been remarkably strong. Coordination between DEQ, CAA, Metro, the Oregon Recycling System Operating Plan Advisory Council, local governments, and haulers has laid a solid foundation. 

We’re proud to support our Oregon members and partners—government and industry alike—during this critical first phase. As more states prepare to follow suit, PSI will continue sharing lessons learned, celebrating progress, and advocating for strong, coordinated systems nationwide. 

PROVEN PROGRESS: EPR SUCCESS ACROSS THE U.S. 

A recent report from the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) argues that the lack of centralized data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in the U.S. While the report raises valid points about transparency, its suggestion that “we can’t be sure” EPR is working ignores years of audited, publicly reported results. 

In a new blog post, PSI pushes back with real-world data from across the country: 

• PaintCare programs have collected more than 80 million gallons of leftover paint, with over 80% of latex paint reused or recycled. 
• Washington’s pharmaceutical take-back program collected over 875,000 pounds of medication in 2023. 
• Connecticut’s EPR laws for paint, electronics, mattresses, and thermostats have diverted 26 million pounds of material and saved municipalities nearly $2.6 million annually. 

EPR is already delivering environmental and economic benefits. The real challenge? Building reporting systems that match the progress already being made.

STATES ADVANCE RIGHT-TO-REPAIR LEGISLATION TO EMPOWER CONSUMERS AND CUT COSTS 

Momentum continues to build nationwide for right-to-repair policies that extend product lifespans, reduce waste, and promote more durable product design. New laws in Oregon and Colorado require manufacturers to provide consumers and independent repairers with access to parts, tools, manuals, and software—key components to making repair more accessible and affordable. 

Oregon’s law, which took effect in January, is the first in the country to ban “parts pairing,” a practice that blocks third-party repairs by making replacement components incompatible. Colorado’s law, which takes effect in 2026, expands the state’s earlier right-to-repair policies beyond farm equipment and wheelchairs to include most consumer electronics. 

These state wins reflect the growing momentum behind repair access as a policy solution. Right-to-repair laws reduce electronic waste, lower costs for consumers, and shift responsibility upstream by encouraging manufacturers to support longer product lifespans. Much of this progress is thanks to sustained advocacy from groups like U.S. PIRG and other repair-rights champions who have pushed for years to secure these protections. As more states consider similar legislation, Oregon and Colorado offer clear, enforceable models for action. 

WHAT WE'RE READING

(StudioThreeDots / Canva Teams)

• How is reuse faring in packaging EPR laws? Upstream reviews seven state EPR laws and finds limited inclusion of reuse so far—though opportunities exist to expand reuse through implementation. Policy language and PRO plans will be key. Read more 
• California kicks off textile EPR planning with a public workshop led by CalRecycle. As the state prepares for potential legislation, stakeholders weighed in on program goals, product scope, and recovery infrastructure needs. Read more 
• Congress explores federal action on plastics recycling. At a recent subcommittee hearing, lawmakers discussed the need for national standards, producer accountability, and stronger data. PSI’s Scott Cassel submitted written testimony. Read more 
• Recycle BC releases 2024 recovery and end-market data, showing high capture rates for paper and rigid plastics, but challenges for flexible packaging. The report also details where materials are sent post-collection. Read more 

The Product Stewardship Institute is a policy expert and consulting nonprofit that pioneered product stewardship in the United States. Since 2000, PSI has helped enact 146 extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws across 21 product categories in 34 states — the bedrock on which the circular economy is built. We work with businesses, nonprofits, academia, and governments to ensure that products are responsibly managed from design to end of life. Join us at www.productstewardship.us. 

The Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Persons with disabilities who require alternatively formatted materials to ensure effective communication should contact Amanda Nicholson at info@productstewardship.us or 617.236.4855.