AMERIPEN, the only organization exclusively focused on fair policy for all stakeholders across the packaging value chain, commends Maryland policymakers for their quick action to pass SB 901. If signed by Governor Moore, this law would become the sixth Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill passed in the country, helping to establish modernized recovery and processing solutions for a more circular economy for paper and packaging.
Maryland鈥檚 EPR bill was passed by the state legislature following a thorough聽needs assessment聽and several years of policy development. Led by Senator Malcolm Augustine and other key stakeholders, the state鈥檚 EPR bill is the product of significant effort that aligns key definitions with Minnesota鈥檚 2024 law. This provides consistency across states in funding methodologies and the role of a producer responsibility organization (PRO).
鈥淎s an organization dedicated to impartial, science-based solutions, AMERIPEN is proud to have supported SB 901 and is grateful to all across the packaging value chain 鈥� materials suppliers, packaging producers, consumer packaged goods companies, and end-of-life materials managers 鈥� who have provided thoughtful feedback to make this legislation as effective as possible,鈥� said Rob Keith, AMERIPEN Policy & Membership Director. 鈥淲e are equally appreciative of Maryland legislators who engaged with these subject matters experts to ensure goals will be both achievable and productive for businesses, governments, and constituents.鈥�
Key elements of the new law include:
Packaging plays a vital role in Maryland, ensuring quality and availability of consumer goods as they are manufactured, shipped, stored, and received. Packaging has value and none of it belongs in landfills, roadsides or waterways. Maryland鈥檚 EPR legislation establishes critical funding for communities to recover and recycle packaging materials, which is especially critical as states and municipalities struggle to fund public programs without increasing the burden on taxpayers.
鈥淓fficient and economically viable recycling and recovery systems are critical to achieve less waste in landfills, lower costs for taxpayers, more sustainable products, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and cleaner communities,鈥� said Maryland Senator Malcolm Augustine, who introduced SB 901. 鈥淭his new system aligns incentives for all stakeholders to create an economically efficient, environmentally responsible, circular system of managing packaging and paper materials. All Maryland residents deserve a modern and comprehensive recycling system, and this legislation ensures we can deliver on our state鈥檚 commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship.鈥�
AMERIPEN is proud to have supported Maryland鈥檚 data-driven EPR legislation and hopes that other states will follow suit as they consider similar legislation in the future. The association stands ready to work with stakeholders across the packaging value chain to ensure seamless implementation and regulatory compliance. AMERIPEN will continue working with Maryland legislators to ensure that the state鈥檚 ambitions of world-class packaging recovery infrastructure are achieved.