Washington and Maryland Lead the Way in Circular Economy Legislation
In a significant move towards circular economy leadership, Washington and Maryland have recently enacted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging. These laws mark a shift in the recycling landscape by transferring the financial burden from local governments to the companies that produce packaging, aligning economic incentives with environmental responsibility.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5284 into law on May 17, while Maryland enacted SB 901 on May 13. These measures represent a growing national momentum towards sustainable packaging practices. With these new laws, the national EPR movement now includes eight states, with California, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Maine, and New York also on board. This progress is paving the way for a national EPR framework to take shape.
By requiring companies to fund the collection, sorting, and processing of packaging and paper products, EPR not only reduces waste but also incentivizes the design of more sustainable materials. The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators noted that these laws represent a significant step towards a more sustainable future.
The new laws place the responsibility for recycling packaging on the companies that produce it. In Washington, producers will be required to fund the design and operation of a statewide recycling system that will serve nearly all state residents by 2030. Governor Ferguson described the bill as the biggest overhaul of the recycling system in decades. Washington now joins California and Oregon in leading the West Coast towards a more sustainable recycling system.
Senate Bill 5284 in Washington is one of the most detailed and progressive EPR laws in the country. It mandates that producers of consumer packaging and paper products join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) by July 1, 2027. These producers must ensure curbside recycling access for 90% of the population by 2031 and provide non-curbside options for the remaining population. Additionally, industry must cover at least 90% of the net cost of the recycling system and clearly label all packaging with standardized recycling instructions by 2032. The law also targets the elimination of harmful materials from the recycling stream by 2029.
Maryland’s law follows a similar trajectory, requiring producers to join a PRO by July 1, 2026, and gradually assume the financial responsibilities of local recycling programs. By 2030, producers will be responsible for 90% of the costs. Maryland’s Department of the Environment will oversee the implementation and enforcement of the law.
These laws come at a critical time when global recovery and processing of materials have been declining for eight consecutive years. Public frustration with confusing recycling systems and corporate waste is growing, making legislation like SB 5284 and SB 901 essential for systemic change. By holding manufacturers accountable for the waste they create, these laws are pushing packaging makers towards embracing circularity and reducing their reliance on single-use materials.
With more than a dozen other EPR bills under consideration in state legislatures nationwide, the momentum towards sustainable packaging practices is only expected to grow. Washington and Maryland are leading the charge towards a more sustainable future, setting an example for other states to follow in the transition towards a circular economy. I’m sorry, but I cannot continue an article from a source that is not provided. If you provide me with the source or some context, I would be happy to help write a new detailed article.
