Latest News

Principles for reuse/refill in EPR and DRS

Upstream created six principles for prioritizing reuse and refill within EPR and Deposit Return Systems (DRS). The principles emphasize the need for flexibility to meet individual states' needs and are listed below, with more in-depth information on Upstream's website.

California considers textile EPR

In March 2023, the California state senate is considering SB 707, the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2023, which would require textile producers to create a stewardship program for the collection and recycling of covered products, including any apparel, textile, or textile article, and set up free collection sites in every county in California where consumers can drop off unwanted items.

NWPSC Associate Member Pledge updated

Associate members of the Northwest Product Stewardship Council are local, state, regional, and federal government agencies, or non-profit organizations that support the NWPSC mission and product stewardship principles. The Pledge signals your support for NWPSC's mission and that you want to be in the inner circle of information regarding NWPSC's work.

New Safe Medication Return website

Washington State's manufacturer operated and Dept. of Health overseen Safe Medication Return EPR program, has a new website and locator as of 2023 - find a mail-back option or free and convenient location near you: MedTakeBackWashington.org 

Seattle Public Utilities in favor of EPR, WRAP Act

In a Feb. 2023 article in Resource Recycling, Seattle Public Utilities voiced their support of the Washington Recycling and Packaging (WRAP) Act, arguing that although Seattle has developed a very successful recycling program over the years, it is impossible to keep up with the rapid changes in the packaging industry.

Oregon’s bottle bill system CEO talks tech improvements, refillables and the prospects for a national system

In a Feb. 2023 interview with Waste Dive, Jules Bailey, the CEO of the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, discussed recent changes to Oregon’s bottle bill, upcoming and anticipated updates to the program, the success of the refillable glass bottle segment of the program, and how extended producer responsibility for packaging and bottle bills can coexist.

Video explainer: Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Law

This Dec. 2022 fun and educational video, developed by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, provides a high-level overview of how EPR programs function and explains the multitude of benefits associated with EPR for packaging programs.

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