A letter from The Recycling Partnership
The Recycling Partnership — a national nonprofit focused on improving U.S. recycling systems and supporting EPR implementation — was a technical partner to Circle by OPLN on the Guide to provide practical, stakeholder-informed insights that help policymakers design and deliver effective, accountable packaging EPR programs grounded in real-world experience.
The Recycling Partnership (“The Partnership”) is honored to be able to partner with OPLN, Representative Jordan, and the other contributors to this effort. As packaging EPR laws are implemented around the country and new laws are under consideration, this resource will offer practical, policy-relevant insights to support the effective design and implementation of EPR programs. We appreciate OPLN’s leadership in developing a tool that is both forward-looking and grounded in real-world experience.
We continue to advocate for smart, well-designed robust state and national EPR policies that continue to hold companies financially and environmentally accountable for making their products and packaging recyclable and ensuring they are properly recycled. And as EPR moves from debate to delivery, our focus is to help PROs, communities, and regulators with implementation, so laws turn into better service and higher capture. Clear, stakeholder-informed guidance is urgently needed to connect policymakers and practitioners with the information needed to navigate program design choices, avoid unintended consequences, and build systems that deliver strong recycling infrastructure.
OPLN’s commitment to incorporating a broad range of stakeholder perspectives is key to this guide’s strength. Meaningful engagement with brands, recyclers, ENGOs, and legislative sponsors of existing state laws is essential to ensuring EPR policies are workable and impactful. By elevating different viewpoints, this tool helps bridge policy goals with on-the-ground realities to deliver a meaningful and significant evolution in how packaging is managed in the U.S. The Partnership looks forward to continued collaboration with OPLN as EPR policies continue to evolve across the country, and we applaud OPLN’s role in fostering transparency and shared learning.
Lastly, we deeply appreciate the commitment and engagement by the many legislators and staff who have worked tirelessly to make the first seven packaging EPR programs a reality.
