Extended producer responsibility programs for packaging are largely moving forward, with some innovations in Oregon, representatives from Circular Action Alliance said at a quarterly update.

“The deadline is the deadline,” said Geoffrey Inch, senior vice president of producer services at CAA, on a quarterly informational call hosted by the PRO this week.

CAA urged producers to reach out as soon as possible with questions or any issues. “We really encourage you to get in the best estimated report that you can based on our guidance documents,” he said.

With the March 31, 2025, deadline fast approaching, businesses operating in Oregon must ensure compliance with the state's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. These regulations, enforced under the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, require producers of certain materials to report their supply and take accountability for waste management. Failure to comply could result in penalties and impact business operations.

A newly released assessment, along with a recommendation report from a stakeholder group, could both help shape EPR for packaging legislation this year.

“Producer responsibility organization (PRO) Circular Action Alliance (CAA) has announced that Conagra Brands and Georgia-Pacific (GP) have joined the organization as founding members.”

“Geoff Inch, senior vice president of producer services for PRO Circular Action Alliance, told Resource Recycling that the numbers have grown disproportionately in Oregon as the deadline approaches, which matches the surge in signups that came before Colorado’s Oct. 1 registration deadline in 2024. 

“‘We definitely see a surge in registrations related to specific regulatory deadlines,’ Inch said. ‘That really helps.’” 

“Olivia Barker, communications adviser at the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), responded by pointing out that CAA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, not an advocacy organization. CAA has been picked to oversee EPR programs in several states as their PRO, including two of the five that have passed EPR regulations so far. 

“‘We are a compliance organization,” Barker said. “Our job—and our mission—is to implement these laws effectively.’”

“Jeff Fielkow has experience ‘on every side of the recycling bin.’ He’s tapping into those different perspectives as the CEO of Circular Action Alliance.

“Packaging Dive caught up with Fielkow at the end of 2024 to learn more about CAA’s approach in 2025 and the years to come.”

To help shed some light on these new packaging EPR laws, PPAI Media reached out to Circular Action Alliance, currently the only active producer responsibility organization (PRO) in the U.S. dedicated to implementing EPR laws for paper and packaging. This organization analyzes the relevant EPR laws and assists producers with the required reporting, collection and recycling or disposal of covered packaging materials.

“CAA praised Wagoner’s statewide leadership experience in an announcement Wednesday, saying she will oversee development and implementation of a program plan in California. This will involve collaborating with government stakeholders, producers and other industry partners ‘to achieve SB 54’s ambitious recycling and waste reduction goals.’”

Circular Action Alliance, which has emerged as the primary U.S. packaging producer responsibility organization, aims to increase PCR utilization with strategies including verification of responsible end markets, according to the organization’s technical advisor.

“Unfortunately, none of these laws have the exact same definition of producer or covered materials,” said Olivia Barker, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Director at the Circular Action Alliance (CAA). “So, CAA has really been working to create as much clarity and get consistency where there is opportunity with the regulatory agencies.”

“Two years ago, extended producer responsibility for packaging was still an emerging concept in the United States. With at least five states now working toward implementing laws, a lot has changed.”

“Two years ago, extended producer responsibility for packaging was still an emerging concept in the United States. With at least five states now working toward implementing laws, a lot has changed.”

"In just two weeks, any substantially sized company that produces packaging sold within Colorado — from plastic to glass to wood — must be registered with a new industry-led organization that will soon begin charging fees to fund a statewide recycling system."

"Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a Washington-based nonprofit producer responsibility organization founded by 20 producers representing the food, beverage, consumer goods and retail industries to implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for paper and packaging, has named Jeff Fielkow its CEO, effective Aug. 20."

Fielkow will become CAA’s first-ever CEO when he steps into the role on August 20. CAA is involved in building program plans in extended producer responsibility for packaging programs in Colorado, California and Oregon.

“ Shane Buckingham, CAA EPR program planning lead, told me that one of the big challenges, besides the lack of harmonization, is getting producers ready to jump into eco-modulation at the outset of the program. ”

“Shane Buckingham, Circular Action Alliance EPR program planning lead, told Resource Recycling that it’s ‘all about making sure that producers have the right information, that they are equipped to be able to participate in the program.’”