Everything you need to know to get ready for the biggest boost to recycling since single-sort.
Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (EPR) is poised to be a game changer for recycling here in Maine. We believe it will be the much needed shot in the arm for communities struggling with the increasing costs of recycling and waste management, shifting the costs away from municipalities and taxpayers and onto the brands and producers of packaging materials themselves.
Like anything new, there are certainly going to be some questions and growing pains as we prepare to implement and launch this program. Here’s what it means for ecomaine and our member communities.
What is Extended Producer Responsibility?
First off, what the heck is EPR anyway? Simply put, it is a policy approach that assigns producers (think companies and brands that make and ship consumer products) greater responsibility for the end-of-life management of the products they introduce to the market and encourages innovations in product design. EPR is sometimes thought of as a mandatory type of product stewardship.
How does EPR affect my town or city?
For Maine municipalities, EPR for Packaging means that the financial and operational burden of managing packaging waste shifts from local taxpayers to the producers of packaging materials. This can result in significant cost savings for towns and cities, as producers will fund and organize the recycling or disposal of packaging waste.
More Frequently Asked Questions
No, EPR is designed to enhance local recycling programs by providing additional funding and resources from producers. It aims to improve recycling rates, reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, and encourage more sustainable packaging designs, which can make your local recycling efforts more effective.
The funds collected from producers under the EPR program will be used to reimburse municipalities for the costs of managing packaging waste. This includes the collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal of materials. Additionally, funds may be invested in improving recycling infrastructure, public education, and other initiatives that support sustainable waste management.
The EPR rules apply to a wide range of packaging materials, including plastic, paper, metal, and glass. The program is comprehensive, covering the majority of packaging materials used in consumer goods.
Supporting EPR can lead to reduced costs for waste management, less reliance on local taxpayer dollars, and improved environmental outcomes. By holding producers responsible, EPR encourages more sustainable packaging designs, which can reduce waste and make recycling more efficient.
The EPR program includes enforcement mechanisms to ensure that producers comply with the rules. This may include fines or other penalties for non-compliance. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will oversee the program and ensure that producers meet their obligations.
Local businesses that produce or sell packaged goods may need to participate in the EPR program by contributing to the cost of managing their packaging waste. However, the program is structured to be fair and equitable, with smaller producers facing lower fees. The goal is to create a level playing field while reducing the overall environmental impact of packaging.
The packaging materials collected under the EPR program will be sorted, processed, and recycled whenever possible. Non-recyclable materials will be managed in a way that minimizes their environmental impact, such as through ecomaine’s waste-to-energy process.
Yes, one of the key goals of EPR is to incentivize producers to design more sustainable packaging that uses less material and is easier to recycle. By making producers responsible for the end-of-life management of their packaging, EPR encourages the development of packaging that has a smaller environmental footprint.
EPR is expected to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills by increasing recycling rates and encouraging the use of more recyclable materials. This can help extend the life of existing landfills and reduce the environmental harm associated with landfill waste, such as methane emissions.
Waste-to-energy is an important component of Maine’s waste management strategy, particularly for materials that cannot be recycled. The EPR program recognizes this by allowing non-recyclable packaging waste to be directed to waste-to-energy facilities, which can generate energy while reducing the volume of waste that ends up in landfills.
Your community will automatically benefit from the EPR program through reduced costs for waste management and improved recycling infrastructure. The program is designed to be seamless, with the DEP and producers handling most of the logistics. However, local governments can play a role in educating residents about the program and encouraging their participation in recycling efforts.
While EPR requires a transition period and some initial adjustments, the long-term benefits include cost savings, improved environmental outcomes, and a more sustainable waste management system. Any challenges faced during implementation are outweighed by the advantages of shifting responsibility to producers and reducing the burden on municipalities.
EPR for Packaging Program Timeline
| Milestone | Anticipated Date |
|---|---|
| Adoption of routine/technical rules and provisional adoption of major substantive rules by Board of Environmental Protection | September 2024 |
| Submittal of major/substantive rules to the legislature for approval | January 2025 |
| First program update due to Legislature | February 15, 2025 |
| Final adoption of major substantive rules by the Board | Spring/Summer 2025 |
| RFP issued for Stewardship Organization (SO) | Fall 2025 |
| Selection of Stewardship Organization (SO) | 2026 |
| First producer payments, payments due no more than 180 days after effective date of SO contract | 2026 |
| First payments to municipalities | 2027 |
| Program report to legislature requiring comprehensive review of the rules and outlining any proposed changes to rules and law | February 15, 2028 |
| Reissue bid for SO | July 2035 |
What is a Stewardship Organization (SO)?
The Stewardship Organization (SO) plays a critical role in the implementation and management of Maine’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging program. As the central entity responsible for overseeing the program, the SO has several key responsibilities:
The SO is tasked with registering producers who are subject to the EPR rules, ensuring that they comply with their obligations under the program. This includes tracking which producers are participating, verifying their compliance with reporting requirements, and collecting fees or payments as mandated by the program.
The SO collects fees from producers based on the amount and type of packaging they place on the market. These fees are used to cover the costs associated with recycling and managing packaging waste. The SO manages these funds and allocates them to various program initiatives, including reimbursements to municipalities, infrastructure improvements, and education and outreach efforts.
A key function of the SO is to reimburse municipalities for the costs associated with recycling and managing packaging waste. This shifts the financial burden from local governments to the producers who generate the waste, thereby promoting a more sustainable and equitable system.
The SO is responsible for identifying and funding infrastructure improvements that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the recycling system. This may include upgrading recycling facilities, expanding collection programs, or developing new technologies that improve recycling rates and reduce contamination.
The SO conducts education and outreach programs aimed at increasing public awareness about recycling and proper waste management practices. This helps to ensure that consumers understand how to recycle correctly and are motivated to participate in the program.
The SO is required to provide regular reports to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and other stakeholders on the program’s performance. This includes data on recycling rates, financial expenditures, and progress toward the program’s goals. The SO must also work with the DEP to make any necessary adjustments to the program based on these reports.
The SO collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including municipalities, producers, waste management companies, and the public. This ensures that the program is responsive to the needs of all parties involved and that it operates in a transparent and efficient manner.
The SO oversees the implementation of Alternative Collection Programs, which provide specialized collection methods for certain types of packaging materials that are not easily recyclable through conventional means. The SO ensures that these programs are accessible and effective, and that they contribute to the overall goals of the EPR program.
In summary, the Stewardship Organization acts as the backbone of Maine’s EPR for Packaging program, ensuring that producers fulfill their responsibilities, that municipalities are supported, and that the state’s recycling and waste management infrastructure is continuously improved.
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection EPR program overview (link to PDF)
- Product Stewardship Institute (link to webpage)
- Natural Resources Council of Maine (link to webpage)