Extended Producer Responsibility
In 2013, NEWMOA along with many other organizations adopted a resolution that defined product stewardship as the act of minimizing health, safety, environmental, and social impacts, and maximizing economic benefits of a product and its packaging throughout all lifecycle stages. The producer of the product has the greatest ability to minimize adverse impacts, but other stakeholders, such as suppliers, retailers, government, and consumers, may also play a role. Product stewardship can be implemented through either voluntary programs or legal requirements. As of 2022, more than 40 EPR laws have been enacted in the northeast.
In 2018, NEWMOA and the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) formed a regional group, the Northeast EPR Network, that includes state officials and leaders of non-profit organizations, particularly state product stewardship councils, who are involved with promoting EPR. The Network undertakes the following activities:
- Maintaining an email list of the Network participants
- Sharing information and updates via email, particularly related to new educational resources, policies, programs, successful legislative efforts, and proposed legislation
- Supporting efforts to promote EPR in the region
- Holding meetings to share information, discuss legislation and challenges, and reflect on lesson learned
- Developing publications
- Conducting follow-up activities, as resources allow
NEWMOA and NERC published a Fact Sheet on EPR for Packaging in 2019.
NEWMOA and NERC published a White Paper – Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging & Paper Products [PDF] in 2020.
NEWMOA and NERC published a Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging & Paper Products (PPP) [PDF] in 2020.
