A Retailer’s Guide to Packaging EPR Requirements in the U.S.

As of May 2025, seven states have enacted extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation for packaging and printed materials. Similar EPR bills are being considered in several states. These bills shift the financial and operational responsibility of managing packaging waste from municipalities to producers, which can include retailers. This means retailers may be required to track, report, and pay fees based on the amount and type of packaging they place onto the market. Download A Retailer’s Guide to Packaging EPR Requirements in the United States (last updated June 2025) for helpful insights and guidance on the patchwork of state packaging EPR legislation.

The overview provided in this guide is for informational purposes only. It cannot capture all the nuances of the relevant regulations. It may therefore be important to consult the regulations directly and/or to seek legal advice on particular issues as they may arise.

With decades of experience and operations in eighty countries, RLG Is a global organization with localized expertise in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance and PRO support services for packaging, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), batteries, hazardous household waste (HHW), textiles, and more. We also offer data management at all stages of EPR compliance: we gather, verify, and report data on behalf of our clients and maintain a database of over 58 million SKUs. Built on tech but powered by people, our solutions are scalable and asset-light, allowing for maximum operational efficiency.