This year brought major developments in plastics policy across the United States and beyond. From state-level legislation to national conversations on extended producer responsibility (EPR), post-consumer recycled content (PCR), and recycling labeling, momentum continues to build toward more standardized, circular packaging systems.
Governments, brands, recyclers, and consumers are more aligned than ever on the need to modernize recycling infrastructure, reduce packaging waste, and promote material transparency. A growing number of policies reflect that shift. These include both active legislation and planning-stage proposals that will impact how plastic is designed, labeled, and reused across the value chain.
For businesses and packaging producers, staying informed is essential. The types of legislation under consideration may affect everything from sourcing strategies to product labeling and data reporting. While each bill differs in scope and enforcement timeline, the overall direction is clear: packaging is moving toward a more circular future that demands traceability, material recovery, and accountability.
What Types of Policy Are Emerging?
These are three of the main legislative categories, each addressing a different stage of the packaging lifecycle:
1. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
EPR laws aim to shift the financial and operational responsibility for recycling from taxpayers to producers. These programs typically require companies that place packaging on the market to fund or manage the collection and recycling of those materials.
State-led EPR efforts are already underway in places like Oregon, Maine, California, and Colorado. These laws often include detailed reporting requirements, eco-modulation systems that reward recyclable design, and funding mechanisms for modernizing recycling infrastructure.
If implemented consistently across more states, EPR has the potential to standardize packaging recovery, improve recycling access, and support long-term investment in closed-loop systems.
2. Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCR)
Several states have passed or proposed laws mandating minimum levels of recycled content in plastic packaging. These laws encourage demand for recycled materials, which can help stabilize domestic recycling markets.
California’s AB 793, already in effect, requires increasing levels of PCR in plastic beverage containers through 2030. Other states including New Jersey, Colorado, and Washington are rolling out similar policies targeting different packaging types. PCR content laws help ensure that collected material has a pathway back into circulation.
These standards may influence sourcing strategies and increase competition for high-quality recycled feedstocks. Producers are responding by investing in design changes, supply chain partnerships, and material tracking systems.
3. Labeling and Consumer Communication
Labeling laws aim to eliminate confusion about what can and cannot be recycled. They also seek to prevent misleading environmental claims by requiring accurate, data-backed communication on packaging.
California’s SB 343, for example, restricts the use of the chasing-arrows recycling symbol unless materials meet specific statewide recyclability benchmarks. Other states like New York and Massachusetts are exploring similar requirements.
At the federal level, updates to the FTC’s Green Guides may influence how environmental claims are regulated nationwide. More consistent labeling helps improve sorting accuracy, reduce contamination, and restore trust in recycling systems.
Progress at a Glance
To help track where key legislation stands, we’ve created a chart highlighting active and emerging bills across the U.S. These cover EPR, PCR, and labeling requirements, along with planning-stage policies expected to gain traction in the coming year.
While much of the legislative action has occurred at the state level, 2025 saw renewed interest in national coordination. The recently introduced SB 2110 – Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies Act (REUSE) aims to expand the federal government’s role in evaluating sustainable packaging solutions. If passed, it could support scientific research, stakeholder collaboration, and clearer regulatory guidance across multiple materials and formats.
What’s Next for Plastics Policy
Progress in plastics policy is a collaborative effort. As more regions adopt legislation, public-private partnerships are growing. New coalitions are forming across brands, recyclers, researchers, and governments to scale up solutions and align on goals.
At Plastic Reimagined, we support smart, science-based policy that encourages transparency, design innovation, and investment in the circular economy. As policy continues to evolve, we remain committed to working with stakeholders across the value chain to deliver packaging solutions that meet both regulatory and environmental expectations.