The Legislator Guide for Circular Policy
A non-partisan, centralized repository that provides policymakers with 101-level context, clear stakeholder perspectives, and reflections from the legislators behind all U.S. EPR for packaging laws.
A Special Thanks to the Guide's Partners
Contributions spanning the full value chain, policy experts, NGOs, and legislators including:
Purpose
The Legislator Guide for Circular Policy is a centralized, non-partisan resource created in direct response to legislators’ call for clear, accessible visibility into stakeholder perspectives. Developed via Circle by OPLN, the Guide brings together concise policy reflections, informational 101-level materials, and comparative insights from across the packaging value chain.
Its purpose is simple:
To help policymakers understand emerging circular policy models, technical considerations, and real-world implementation lessons—without advocacy or predetermined outcomes.
The Guide is designed as a living resource. Stakeholders can update their submissions over time, allowing legislators to track evolving views, new research, and lessons learned from policy and system implementation.
The Guide is:
Neutral and non-partisan.
It does not advocate for any circular policy approach.
Its role is to inform legislators with balanced, factual context.
Who is Contributing
The Legislator Guide brings together perspectives from across the full packaging and recycling ecosystem. Contributors include policymakers, policy experts, NGOs, recyclers, brands, manufacturers, and other value-chain stakeholders. Each submission reflects Circle's all-sides-at-the-table approach — a neutral convening model that ensures legislators can see the range of viewpoints, priorities, and real-world considerations shaping circular policy in the U.S.
Browse Submissions by sector below
Explore Foundational 101 materials explaining terms and concepts
Search the full directory. Refine by topic or stakeholder.
How the Guide is organized
The Legislator Guide is structured in a clear, consistent format to make it easy for policymakers to compare perspectives, recommendations, and resources across sectors and states. Consistency matters — especially when legislators are navigating complex policy terrain. The guide follows a simple, intuitive progression that moves from foundational knowledge to state experience to value-chain insights.
EPR 101: An introductory explainer authored by Representative Sydney Jordan outlining core concepts.
State Recommendations: Submissions from the first seven U.S. states with enacted EPR for packaging laws.
Industry & Sector-specific Submissions: One-page summaries with three key recommendations with accompanying links, reports, and statements.
Anonymous Insights (Where Requested): Confidential, sector-specific feedback from Circle members offering candid context that may not be available in public statements.
Contributing Legislative Leaders
What Circular Policy pioneers are saying
State Senator, Washington
State Representative, Minnesota
State Senator, Colorado
State Senator, Oregon
Chief of Staff, Senator Ben Allen, California
State Senator, Maryland
State Senator, Maine
Submissions by Sector
Recent submissions from leaders by sector
Legislators
See What Legislators, Policymakers, Bill Writers, and Staff Are Saying About Circular Policy and EPR for Packaging
Multi-stakeholder Coalitions
Insights from the collaborative alliances that represent diverse groups including NGOs, producers, policymakers, research organizations, recycling service providers, and more
Consumer Brands
Insights from the Consumer Packaged Goods, Retailers and Restaurants Designing, Using, and Innovating Packaging at Scale (often called “obligated producers”)
Environmental NGO
Leading Advocates for Plastic Production Reduction, Nontoxic Circular Packaging, and Systemic Solutions to Plastic Pollution
Materials
Materials manufacturers and producers in the plastic, glass, aluminium, paper and alternative materials sectors bring critical technical expertise to circular policy discussions, helping legislators understand resin performance, design constraints, feasible reduction pathways, and the investments required to scale recycling-ready materials across the value chain
Resource Recovery, Recycling & Waste Management
Insights from Resource Recovery, Recycling & Waste Management Companies: The Operators Responsible for Collecting, Sorting, and Processing the Materials Flowing Through Our Recycling System
Packaging Manufacturer
Voices of Packaging Manufacturers: The Critical Link Between Packaging Design, Manufacturing, and Circularity
Circular Policy Experts
Experts insights from consultancies and NGOs focused on circular policy research & data
