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.’”

“Freeman will hit the ground running when he joins CAA as executive director on June 18. Colorado is in the process of implementing its extended producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products, and CAA is its producer responsibility organization tasked with building the program plan.”

“Schwarze called on producers to engage with the producer responsibility organization — which is already serving in California, Colorado and Oregon, and in an advisory role in Maryland — as soon as possible because it’s on producers to understand whether they count as an obligated producer in different states with these EPR laws.”

“EPR is a complex and constantly moving target. As a brand, what should you be doing right now to prepare for upcoming regulations? At NPE: The Plastics Show, John Hite, [Regulatory & Stakeholder Engagement Advisor] at Circular Action Alliance (CAA), provided a primer on EPR for Packaging, CAA, and what you need to do to meet upcoming deadlines.”

“The program requires applicable product producers to contribute a small amount of funds for recycling of the products and packaging the companies sell in the state. The funds will help manage the end of life of materials through collection, processing and recycling, or composting.

”Colorado designated Circular Action Alliance in May 2023 as the Producer Responsibility Organization to coordinate, fund and manage the statewide recycling system.”

“CAA, a brands-led organization that also has been selected as a producer responsibility organization for California and Oregon, will engage with stakeholders over the next nine months to prepare a program plan aligned with these goals.”