Shaping Fee Setting Together
A new way for producers to strengthen how fees are developed with structured input, shared expertise and even more transparency
Circular Action Alliance is launching a Producer Fee-Setting Consultation, providing a structured way for a diverse array of producers to help inform how fees are developed across states. To support the consultation, CAA is establishing a Producer Fee-Setting Consultation Steering Committee to help shape how CAA consults the broader producer community. The Steering Committee will evaluate proposals for updates to the fee-setting methodology and provide feedback on these proposals to guide the broader consultation process. Applications closed on June 26, 2026.
This Steering Committee brings together producer expertise and multi-state perspectives to help inform a fair, data-driven approach, while maintaining clear governance as final decisions will continue to rest with CAA.
Why This Matters
We’re creating more opportunities for producers to engage directly in the process—because strong outcomes are built on real-world experience.
Through this Steering Committee, producers will have:
A more structured way to share input
Earlier visibility into how methodologies are developing
The opportunity to help shape a more aligned, transparent approach across states
How It Works
The Steering Committee is designed to help CAA shape consultation topics, and to advise CAA on how to consult the broader producer community, while maintaining clarity and accountability.
Participation is application-based, ensuring a balanced and representative group
Members provide structured input on proposals and methodologies
The group plays an advisory role only; it does not set or approve fees
CAA maintains final decision-making authority
To support open and productive dialogue, confidentiality is required, and members are expected to engage thoughtfully and constructively.
Who We Are Looking For
We are building a Steering Committee that reflects the diversity and complexity of the system.
Selection will prioritize:
Diverse representation across producer size, sector and material types
Multi-state experience and system-level perspective
Technical and financial expertise on fee-setting topics
Familiarity with EPR programs, regulatory processes, advisory groups
Organizations that are active and in good standing with CAA programs
How Steering Committee Participation Works
The Steering Committee brings together a balanced group of producers to provide structured input on CAA’s consultation with the producer community, reflecting real-world experience and multi-state perspectives.
Members engage thoughtfully and contribute system-level insights within a confidential, collaborative environment.
The consultation process is designed to support a fair, transparent and data-driven approach, aligned across states and grounded in clear principles and long-term system performance.
Steering Committee Applications
Applications for the Producer Fee-Setting Consultation Steering Committee closed on June 26, 2026. The committee will help support CAA's fee-setting consultation process by providing producer perspectives on consultation topics and fee-setting methodology proposals.
Interested in future opportunities to participate? Subscribe to CAA updates.
FAQs
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The Steering Committee provides strategic input to guide CAA’s consultation on its fee-setting methodology. The committee will evaluate proposals for updates to the fee-setting methodology and advise CAA on how to consult the broader producer community.
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No. The Steering Committee and the broader consultation process are advisory only. Final decisions are made by CAA to ensure oversight and overall alignment.
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The application process ensures a small, balanced group of producers who bring relevant expertise, diverse perspectives and the ability to commit time to the process.
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Selection will consider:
Diversity of producer size, sector, and packaging materials
Eligibility and good standing with the PRO
Ability to contribute to system level and regulatory perspectives
Technical and financial expertise
Inclusion of multi state experience or awareness
The goal is balance and constructive engagement, not representation of any single viewpoint.
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Good standing ensures that Steering Committee members are actively participating in and contributing to the program they are advising. This is an administrative eligibility requirement and allows for routine reconciliations or good faith adjustments.
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Members are expected to:
Engage in good faith
Prepare and participate in every other week Steering Committee meetings, each of which are expected to last up to 90 minutes. The Steering Committee will be established for an initial period that will end no later than six months from its creation. CAA may extend or shorten the duration, and CAA reserves the right to amend, suspend, or terminate this Committee at any time.
Consider system-wide and multi-state impacts
Respect diverse perspectives
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CAA has established a set of fair, clear and effective guiding principles to shape fee-setting across multiple states:
Harmonization: The national fee-setting methodology will be used consistently across states, but the fee rates will vary by state due to differing state requirements and program costs.
Fairness: Producers supplying covered materials to consumers must contribute to the costs of the recycling system, including producers that use materials that are not recycled.
Material-Specific Costs: Fee rates will reflect material-specific management costs in each state using the best available data.
Commodity Revenue: Fee rates will reflect state-specific commodity revenues, and these revenues will be attributed to the corresponding material categories that earned them.
Eco-modulation: Fee-setting will account for measurable environmental objectives and state-mandated eco-modulation policies.
Responsible End Markets: Fee-setting will factor in the development and maintenance of viable responsible markets with any associated costs attributed to the material category that requires end market development.
Clarity: Fee-setting materials and consultations will be prepared and conducted in a manner that clearly communicates to producers the principles, methodologies and approach that CAA is using to determine fee rates.