The American Forest & Paper Association is urging for commercial paper and packaging recycling to be excluded from extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, saying that these materials already move through established, privately funded recycling systems.
In blog post on its website, AF&PA said that “including commercial packaging recycling in extended producer responsibility programs would require businesses to pay into a system they do not use and do not need. It effectively charges them twice for recycling that is already happening.”
When lawmakers consider EPR programs, it is critical to understand how paper and paper-based packaging are already recycled today, and where the real gaps in the system exist, AF&PA argues.
AF&PA underscores that most paper-based packaging from businesses is already recycled at very high rates through existing systems. “Including it in EPR would require businesses to pay into a program they do not use, effectively subsidizing residential recycling without receiving those services.”
They go on to say that most paper-based packaging from businesses is already recycled at very high rates through existing systems. Therefore, “Including it in EPR ultimately raises cost without improving paper recycling outcomes. As a result, Americans will ultimately feel the impact when shopping at the grocery store and for everyday necessities.”
As lawmakers continue to evaluate EPR proposals, three important factors should be considered:
Keeping the focus on residential challenges: EPR programs are intended to address gaps in household recycling, particularly for hard-to-recycle materials, like plastic.
Avoid shifting costs onto businesses unnecessarily: Commercial recycling systems are already funded and functioning. Including them risks duplicating costs without improving paper recycling outcomes.
Ground decisions in a full understanding of the system: Conduct and complete a comprehensive recycling Needs Assessment to better understand the current recycling system’s performance and avoid unintended consequences.
Read the full post at afandpa.org.
