If a retailer, accountant or packaging supplier has mentioned "EPR," you're not alone in wondering what it is. What is EPR for packaging? In short, it's a set of laws that make brands pay for the packaging their products come in, after customers throw it away.
Here's a beginner's guide in plain words.
Key takeaways
- EPR = extended producer responsibility.
- Brands ("producers") pay for collecting and recycling their packaging.
- Fees depend on how much packaging you use and what it's made of.
- Seven US states have packaging EPR laws; several are already charging fees.
The simple idea
Today, cities and taxpayers mostly pay to collect and recycle packaging. EPR flips that. The company that decides what the packaging is made of, the brand, pays instead. The idea is that if brands pay, they'll design packaging that's easier to recycle and use less of it.
How EPR works, step by step
- You check if you're a "producer." Usually that's the brand owner of the product.
- You join a PRO (producer responsibility organization). It runs the program for many brands.
- You report your packaging each year: how many kilograms of paper, plastic, glass and metal you sold into the state.
- You pay fees based on that report. Harder-to-recycle materials usually cost more.
- The PRO uses the money to fund collection, sorting and recycling.
Which US states have it
As of October 2026, seven states have packaging EPR laws:
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| Oregon | Live since July 2025; fees invoiced |
| Colorado | Live since January 2026; first invoices January 2026 |
| California (SB 54) | Final rules effective May 1, 2026 |
| Maryland | Rules effective May 2026 |
| Washington | Producers joined PRO by July 1, 2026 |
| Minnesota | Full program January 1, 2029 |
| Maine | Program setup delayed in 2026 |
Details in packaging EPR laws by state.
Who is the "producer"?
Most states follow a ladder:
- The brand owner of the product.
- If they can't be reached, a licensee.
- Otherwise, the importer or distributor into the state.
So if your brand name is on the box, you're probably the producer, even if a factory overseas made it. Shipping boxes for online orders can have their own rules. See SB 54 producer definition.
What counts as packaging?
More than you might think:
- Retail boxes and cartons
- Plastic bags and films
- Labels, hangtags and inserts
- Tissue paper and void fill
- Shipping boxes and mailers
- Bottles, jars, caps and lids
Some states also cover paper products like catalogs and food serviceware.
How fees are calculated
A simple example. You sell 1,000 units of a product in Colorado. Each unit has:
- 200 g cardboard box
- 15 g plastic bag
That's 200 kg of cardboard and 15 kg of plastic for the year. The PRO multiplies each by its rate. Plastic film often has a higher rate than cardboard because it's harder to recycle.
What data you need
For each product:
- Every packaging part
- Material type (and plastic resin type)
- Weight per part
- Units sold into each state
Get this from packaging suppliers and your sales systems. Weigh samples if you need to.
Are there exemptions?
Yes. Most states exempt small producers below a revenue or tonnage threshold, but the thresholds differ. Some packaging types, like certain medical packaging, may also be exempt. Check each state before assuming.
How EPR connects to PFAS
Packaging can contain PFAS, especially grease-resistant food packaging. Several states ban PFAS in food packaging, and the EU limits it since August 2026. When you ask packaging suppliers for EPR data, ask about PFAS too. One request, two jobs.
Common questions
"I'm a small online brand. Does EPR apply?" Maybe. Check each state's small-producer threshold.
"My 3PL packs my orders. Who reports?" It depends on whose brand is on the packaging and your contract. Agree in writing.
"Is EPR the same in every state?" No. The ideas are similar, but rules, fees and dates differ.
"Does Europe have EPR?" Yes, in every EU country, plus new EU-wide packaging rules (PPWR). See PPWR for US brands.
Key terms
- EPR: Extended producer responsibility.
- Producer: The company responsible, usually the brand owner.
- PRO: Producer responsibility organization, the group you join and pay.
- Eco-modulation: Fee changes that reward recyclable packaging.
- Covered material: Packaging that falls under the law.
The bottom line
EPR makes brands pay for their packaging's end of life. If you sell packaged products in Oregon, Colorado, California or the other EPR states, you likely need to register, report weights by material, and pay fees. Clean packaging data per product is the key.
How Secuabase helps
We collect packaging specs from your suppliers (material, weight, recycled content and PFAS status) and turn them into a clean data set you can use for every EPR state.
For our first partners we run it free on one product line. Book a quick chat.
FAQ
What does EPR mean?
Extended producer responsibility.
Who pays?
Usually the brand owner, through a PRO.
Which states have it?
Maine, Oregon, Colorado, California, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington.
General information, not legal advice. Facts checked October 2026.
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