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Updated data from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) shows that three new material recovery facilities (MRFs) are sorting cartons, raising the share of counties with carton recycling services to 62%, above the 60% threshold required by SB 343. Previously, this share had dropped to 53% in December 2025, sparking industry concerns. The new law, effective October 2025, requires that packaging be sorted by MRFs covering at least 60% of counties to be labeled as recyclable.
Lollicup USA (a subsidiary of Karat Packaging) filed a class action in Oregon federal court against DEQ Director Leah Feldon, seeking a declaration that the state's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act is unconstitutional and an injunction against its enforcement. The lawsuit cites NAW precedent, alleging the law violates the Commerce Clause and due process.
While industry attention is focused on packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), mandatory requirements for the use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials also hold a significant place on the brand compliance agenda. At the Packaging Recycling Summit held from June 15 to 17 in Rosemont, Illinois, attendees noted that despite many brands making public commitments to increase PCR usage, actual demand growth has been slow. New Jersey's PCR regulations are regarded as the most extensive, and their brand-level aggregated average compliance requirements have prompted companies such as Campbell Soup and Ahold Delhaize USA to adopt cross-category strategies. Meanwhile, costs, the supply of food-grade materials, technical process limitations, and consumer misunderstanding of recycled material pricing collectively constitute real barriers to the promotion of PCR.
At the Packaging Recycling Summit held last week in Rosemont, Illinois (June 15-17), multiple speakers noted that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in packaging are becoming a major force driving industry change, but brands still face significant uncertainty in understanding state laws and seeking compliance. This article summarizes four major EPR themes that emerged from the conference: widespread questions among stakeholders, tensions arising from interstate policy differences, emerging data solutions, and the question of where EPR fees flow.
17 Republican state attorneys general jointly sued California's SB 54 packaging EPR law, alleging it violates the Constitution and harms interstate commerce. The National Wholesale Distributors Association joined as the sole commercial plaintiff, having previously obtained a preliminary injunction in Oregon.
Cannabis packaging supplier P3 Distributing is expanding from recycling operations to a reuse model. Founder Patrick Caldwell established the company in 2016, and in 2017, launched recycling operations due to China's 'National Sword' policy. The company currently processes 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of polypropylene packaging monthly and is attempting to wash glass jars for reuse, but only about 2% of glass sales enter the reuse cycle. Caldwell is seeking equipment investment and cross-industry collaboration to enhance scale and profitability.
The Circular Action Alliance (CAA), the producer responsibility organization responsible for implementing California's packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) law, submitted a draft program plan to the SB 54 Advisory Committee on June 15. The draft projects a maximum program budget of $1.87 billion in 2027, with cumulative budgets over the next five years between $9.35 billion and $17.2 billion. The plan faces multiple challenges, including regulatory delays, cost disputes, and lawsuits from environmental groups.
The packaging industry continues to enhance performance and sustainability through material and structural innovations. This article summarizes six recent developments, including Sazerac's transparent canned vodka water, PureCycle's PCR resin applications in hinged lids and BOPP films, Elopak's low-carbon aluminum, Toppan's paper-based light-blocking card packaging, and Molson Coors' World Cup-themed large cans.
Since 2023, Oregon has passed legislation allowing residents to bring their own reusable containers into food establishments, accompanied by a ban on foam plastics. The Portland metropolitan government, Metro, has seized this opportunity to launch the Choose to Reuse regional initiative, promoting the reduction of single-use packaging in the food service industry through outreach, business guidance, and financial incentives. Currently, the initiative remains in its early promotional stages, with food trucks emerging as early adopters.
Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. Congress introduced the Toxic-Free Food Packaging Act this week, aiming to ban chemicals including phthalates, PFAS, bisphenol A, and styrene polymers from food packaging and processing materials. The bill does not seek to replace state regulations and has received support from multiple environmental organizations.