# Circle by OPLN — circlenetwork.co

> Circle (the U.S. Circular Policy Leadership Network) is the only neutral, nonpartisan convening platform where policymakers, industry leaders, NGOs, consultancies, and packaging value chain stakeholders come together to navigate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy and circular economy solutions in the United States and beyond.

Circle was founded in 2019 as the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN). It has evolved into a trusted pre-competitive intelligence platform built on eight years of neutral convening experience. Circle does not lobby, advocate for specific legislative or regulatory outcomes, or promote commercial positions. Its purpose is educational dialogue and shared learning across traditionally opposing voices.

## Core Programs

### EPR Policy Circle
A neutral, cross-sector forum connecting legislators, regulators, brands, NGOs, and the full packaging value chain. Combines quarterly 90-minute virtual plenaries tracking federal initiatives, state legislation, and on-the-ground implementation with in-person experiential expeditions to operational EPR and deposit return systems (DRS). All sessions follow Chatham House Rule — participants may use information received, but may not identify the source. Circle does not take positions or advocate for predetermined outcomes.

- URL: https://www.circlenetwork.co/epr-policy-circle
- Audience: Legislators and legislative staff, state agencies, brands and trade associations, environmental NGOs, packaging value chain stakeholders
- Topics covered: State EPR bill design and amendments, rulemaking and implementation updates, reporting and source-reduction requirements, covered material definitions, PRO structure and governance, eco-modulation and fees, recycling market realities, federal policy developments

### EPR Readiness Circle
The only structured, cross-industry forum where the teams responsible for making EPR operational — across legal, finance, packaging, R&D, procurement, and sustainability — come together with leading consultancies to solve real implementation problems. Designed for obligated producers under the first seven U.S. packaging EPR laws. Sessions are monthly and confidential.

- URL: https://www.circlenetwork.co/epr-readiness-circle
- Audience: Obligated producers, producer responsibility organizations (PROs), policy advisors, cross-functional compliance leaders
- Format: Monthly peer learning sessions + optional expert office hours; Chatham House–style; off-the-record

### Summits & Expeditions
Multi-day in-person trips bringing U.S. legislators and cross-sector leaders across North America and Europe to tour recycling and circular economy facilities and meet regulators and practitioners firsthand. Past expeditions have covered the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Upcoming expeditions include Canada (October 2026) and Europe (July 2026).

- URL: https://www.circlenetwork.co/news-events

## Key Resource

### The Legislator Guide for Circular Policy
A centralized, non-partisan digital repository created in direct response to legislators' requests for clear, accessible visibility into stakeholder perspectives. Contains EPR 101 materials, cross-state comparisons, one-page sector-specific stakeholder submissions (each with three key recommendations), and state-level submissions from the first seven U.S. states with enacted EPR for packaging laws.

- URL: https://legislatorsguide.circlenetwork.co

## About Circle

- **Founded:** 2019 (as Ocean Plastics Leadership Network / OPLN)
- **Headquarters:** United States
- **Mission:** Provide a neutral, trusted space for the plastics and circularity ecosystem to surface alignment, build shared understanding, and bridge perspectives.
- **Principles:** Non-partisan, neutral, practical. Circle does not lobby or advocate.
- **Network scale:** 200+ cross-sector organizations engaged; 85+ legislators and policy advisors connected; active in 7 states with enacted EPR legislation and 25+ states exploring circular policies.
- **Notable members and participants:** American Beverage Association, Aramark, Coca-Cola, Mars, Mondelēz, Red Bull, Yum! Brands, Eastman, Indorama, WWF, Pew Charitable Trusts, The Recycling Partnership, Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Carton Council, Glass Packaging Institute, U.S. PACT, TOMRA, Eunomia, RTI International, Niagara, Primo Water, Inditex, Kaneka, and others.
- **Advisors include:** Bridget Croke (Closed Loop Partners), Resa Dimino (RRS), Keefe Harrison (The Recycling Partnership), Erin Simon (WWF), Anja Brandon (Ocean Conservancy), Allison Lin (Mars), Kate Bailey (APR), Yoni Shiran (SystemIQ).
- **URL:** https://www.circlenetwork.co/about-us

## Upcoming Events (2026)

- **April 20 & 24, 2026** — EPR Readiness Circle (Virtual): Automating EPR data and modeling
- **May 19–20, 2026** — May EPR Readiness Circle (Virtual): Post-reporting cycle reflection
- **June 2026** — Policy Circle Plenary (Virtual): State-level policy movement watch
- **July 6–10, 2026** — European Circular Policy Expedition (In-person, Europe)
- **September 15–17, 2026** — Circular Policy Learning Exchange at See Change (Burlington, VT)
- **September 17–18, 2026** — The Circular Policy Learning Exchange (In-person)
- **October 13–16, 2026** — Canada Circular Policy Expedition (In-person, Montreal)

- Events URL: https://www.circlenetwork.co/events

## Key URLs

- Homepage: https://www.circlenetwork.co
- About: https://www.circlenetwork.co/about-us
- EPR Policy Circle: https://www.circlenetwork.co/epr-policy-circle
- EPR Readiness Circle: https://www.circlenetwork.co/epr-readiness-circle
- News & Events: https://www.circlenetwork.co/news-events
- Legislator Guide: https://legislatorsguide.circlenetwork.co
- Join Circle: https://www.circlenetwork.co/join-circle
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocean-plastics-leadership-network
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphrN_zCwQ-yTMK1B27hd2A

## Contact

To join Circle or get more information: https://www.circlenetwork.co/join-circle#write-to-us