<p>By Erin Sigrist, Director, State Government Affairs, FMI </p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/single-use-plastic-image.tmb-large-350-.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=7d441916_1" style="float:right;margin:10px;" alt="plastic straws, cutlery, cups and additional single use plastic" class="-align-right" sf-size="100" /><p>Increasing consumer awareness of environmental issues has escalated demand for sustainable products. As a result, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws continue to gain momentum across the U.S. Staying informed and prepared is more critical than ever. Food producers, retailers, distributors and all food packaging stakeholders must become fluent in sustainable packaging methods or risk facing costly penalties and compliance challenges. </p><h5>EPR 101: The Basics You Need to Know<br /></h5><p>To support members navigating the evolving EPR regulatory landscape, FMI has partnered with Pure Strategies, Inc. to develop the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/epr-guide-2025"><em>EPR Guide 2025: Preparing for the New Era of Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility</em></a><em>.</em> Whether you’re new to EPR or looking for a refresher, our <em>EPR 101</em> guide breaks down the essentials, including: </p><ul><li>What EPR is. </li><li>Who may be affected. </li><li>What materials are typically covered.</li><li>How compliance works. </li></ul><p>The document explains key concepts like Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), provides examples of data collection and reporting requirements, fees and incentives for sustainable packaging. Businesses will also find insights on related laws, such as recycled content mandates, and practical steps they should take now to prepare.</p><p>To complement the guide, FMI will host an <a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/MeetingFormPublic/view?id=CDEDE300000003">EPR Data Collection Workshop on Wednesday, May 21, from 1:00–2:30 pm EST</a>, in partnership with Pure Strategies. This session walks through the data requirements for EPR compliance and helps companies prepare for upcoming reporting obligations. </p><h5>State-Specific Guidance: Tailored Insights to Help Your Operations<br /></h5><p>EPR regulations vary from state to state, and understanding these nuances is key to maintaining compliance and operational efficiency. To help, we are creating detailed guidance documents for states that have passed EPR laws. The <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/state-epr-guides/or-epr-guidance-final.pdf?sfvrsn=da3ae234_1">Oregon guidance</a> and <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/state-epr-guides/co-epr-guidance-final.pdf?sfvrsn=f5578a26_1">Colorado guidance</a> can be found on our<em> </em> <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/sustainability-new">Sustainability page</a> and the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/government-affairs/state-affairs/issue-papers">State Priority Issues page</a> and more specific state guidance will be added. These resources summarize legislative timelines, compliance deadlines, covered materials and reporting requirements to help FMI members access pertinent information quickly.</p><h5>Why This Matters<br /></h5><p>With states like California, Colorado, Oregon, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and more already passing comprehensive EPR legislation – and others not far behind – these materials can be instrumental in planning ahead and avoiding regulatory pitfalls. Whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer or part of the supply chain, proactive education and preparation will help you stay ahead of regulatory changes and mitigate operational disruptions and penalties. </p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/epr-guide-2025" class="button">Download The EPR Guide</a> </p><p><em style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;">Note: These guides are meant to serve as references with summary information. They are not intended to represent legal advice or contain all aspects of the legislated requirements. Information and links were accurate at the date of publication. Each organization must conduct its due diligence and understand its legal obligations. </em><span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"> </span></p>
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