Sustainable Sweep, ISSA Updates EPR Doc
Contributed by BSM Staff

WASHINGTON – In response to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, ISSA is offering invaluable resources to its members as they navigate evolving recycling and waste management regulations.

The landscape of waste management and recycling is undergoing a significant transformation across the U.S., said ISSA, and it has announced an update to its comprehensive EPR Guidance document, which now includes detailed information for Maryland and Washington State.

Extended Producer Responsibility is a policy approach that shifts the financial and operational responsibility for the end-of-life management of products, particularly packaging, from municipalities and consumers to the producers themselves.

This paradigm shift aims to incentivize more sustainable product design, improve recycling rates, and create a more circular economy. With Maryland and Washington State recently enacting their own EPR laws, they join California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Oregon in leading this national movement.

The updated ISSA EPR Guidance document provides an essential summary of these new state-specific requirements. For cleaning industry businesses, understanding these nuances is critical for compliance and strategic planning.

The guidance outlines key aspects such as covered materials, producer definitions, compliance timelines, and the role of Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs). Both Maryland and Washington’s laws emphasize the need for producers to either join a PRO or establish individual plans to manage the collection, sorting, and recycling of their packaging.

By providing clear insights into these complex regulations, ISSA helps businesses proactively adapt their packaging strategies, supply chains, and overall sustainability performance.

ISSA will host “The Sustainable Sweep: EPR, Circularity, and the Future of Cleaning Industry” August 19, featuring expert insights and discussions on how these legislative shifts are reshaping product design, supply chains, and waste management practices.

Register for “The Sustainable Sweep” and ensure your business is prepared for the evolving landscape of producer responsibility.

For questions on EPR, contact Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft, johnn@issa.com.