U.S. Recycling Could Hit 75% With ‘Itty-Bitty’ Fees for Extended Producer Responsibility

Forbes, Feb. 2023: The Recycling Partnership is out with a report that looked at the impact of EPR in seven jurisdictions worldwide and six U.S. states. They found that EPR programs in states would increase overall residential recycling rates by up to 48% and as high as 75%. Regarding claims that EPR increases consumer prices, Dylan de Thomas, VP of Public Policy & Government Affairs said: “It does not increase costs at the grocery store for consumers. The consumer just notices that their recycling program gets better, or maybe remains the same if they’re in a big city. EPR fees for producers are “itty-bitty” or fractions of a penny per package.