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uwwi�' u /,1i <br />uumli� flllliouuu <br />By Suz Okie <br />August 9, 2021 <br />Suz i <br />Analyst, Circular Economy <br />GreenBiz Group <br />Shutterstock <br />Just over a month ago, I cited the lack ofextended producer responsibilitv_(EPR) bills pertaining to <br />plastics and packaging in the United States as a cause for concern. As of July 13, I'm thrilled to share <br />it's time to print an update: The U.S. went from zero EPR bills related to packaging to one, when <br />Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 1541 into law. <br />While Maine has taken home the gold, Oregon is hot on its trail with its own packaging EPR bill <br />awaiting the governor's signature. Additionally, nine other state -level EPR bills (not to mention a <br />federal bill) are under consideration. But with all this momentum has come a mountain ofconfusion <br />around the nuts and bolts of EPR. <br />To better understand the mechanics of Maine's newly minted legislation, I sat down with Sydney <br />Harris, policy and programs manager at the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI). Collaborating with <br />on -the -ground organizers such as the Natural Resources Council of Maine — a nonprofit that was <br />instrumental in getting the new law across the finish line— PSI has been building capacity and laying <br />the groundwork for EPR over the past 20 years. Here are some frequently asked EPR questions that <br />Harris helped me answer: <br />• <br />As with all EPR legislation, the bill for end -of -life management — in this case, for transporting and <br />recycling packaging materials — will be footed by the " producers" that make these products and <br />bring them to market. But multiple companies — everyone from resin producers to retailers— have <br />their hands on any given product or package. So, who's responsible? <br />"For the most part, it's consumer brands," Harris said. "If you buy something, chances are the brand <br />you see on the packaging will have paid the fee. They're the ones that choose what their products go <br />into, so it's only fair that they're the ones incentivized to choose sustainable packaging." <br />"lfyou buysomething, chances are the brand you <br />