Food Safety and Regulatory Aspects of State EPR Programs
State-level Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can push a circular economy, move the overall recycling effort forward, and lead to an increase in the use of recycled material
How likely are you to try some of the more unique new product mashups lining the aisles of the grocery store—such as mac 'n cheese ice cream, Worcester potato chips, or watermelon beef jerky? How about detergent-flavored protein bars? You might draw the line there, but such an unsavory combination could be an unintended consequence of attempts to fix our nation's ailing recycling system.
Several legislative and regulatory experiments underway across the country are likely to see positive results. However, how the technical terms related to recycling are defined and harmonized, as well as how industry is permitted to recycle, are things that legislators should keep in mind when considering policies affecting packaging of all shapes and sizes. This is key to developing a circular economy for plastic packaging.