Maine Becomes First State to Make Companies Pay for Recycling

Date: July 14, 2021

Source: News Room

The state of Maine has become the first state in the union to regulate the packaging of consumer products sold in the state under a program known as extended producer responsibility (EPR). On July 12, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law Legislative Document 1541 which seeks to bolster municipal recycling programs with the help of fees paid by producers of a wide range of products. Those fees would vary depending on the design, amount, and type of packaging. A stewardship organization, overseen by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will administer the enterprise. Maine already has EPR for other items, including electronic waste, old paint, and mercury thermostats.

See Legislation: "Summary of LD 1541," (legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?paper=HP1146&SessionID=14).

See also: "Maine Poised to Pass EPR Legislation," (https://www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20210624D.htm).

See also: "EPR Bill Could be Model for Other States," (https://www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20210129A.htm).

See also: "Extended Producer Responsibility back on the Radar," (https://www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20201207A.htm).

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