EPR Virtual Connect

Six states have now passed EPR packaging laws- Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington, and more are on the horizon. This panel will provide a status check on where each state stands and what producers need to know now across all relevant jurisdictions.

• Survey of state EPR laws and common elements
• Understanding what types of packaging are covered under current laws and where the gaps and gray areas lie
• Reviewing common exemptions (FDA-regulated products, small business thresholds) and how they vary
• Finding solutions to the growing challenge of tracking and interpreting this shifting regulatory landscape
• Developing strategies for keeping up with evolving deadlines, registration requirements, and legislative updates in 2026 and beyond
• Looking ahead to 2027 legislative sessions in states such as New York, Illinois, and New Jersey
  • Understanding why bills failed this past year and what might change next year

Recorded Speakers:

• Rachel A. Bond, Partner, Keller & Heckman LLP
• Thomas Brugato, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
• Meaghan Colligan Hembree, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP

Following CalRecycle’s latest draft regulations, advancing the nation’s most ambitious EPR rollout—stakeholders now face a compressed and still-evolving compliance timeline under California’s SB 54. Let’s take a deeper dive into unique complexities of this law and related risk exposures, compared to other state programs.

• Unpacking the legal implications of California’s 100% recyclability, compostability, or reuse mandate and its 2032 deadline
• Analyzing how overlapping laws such as AB 1201 (compostability labeling) and AB 343 (recyclability claims) create additional compliance burdens
• Developing strategies for navigating the reporting challenges and preparing for enforcement

Recorded Speakers:

• Sherry E. Jackman, Partner, Environment Group, Greenberg Glusker LLP
• Eadaoin Quinn, Sustainable Packaging Senior Manager of Sustainability, Mars
• Joseph Dages, Partner, Steptoe LLP

The financial implications of state packaging EPR laws have become apparent for affected companies in this first round of invoicing. But the path from packaging to payment is anything but straightforward. Fee structures vary widely by state, infrastructure gaps remain unresolved, and transparency around fees calculation and distribution is still limited.

• Recapping how fees are calculated: Base fees, weight-based models, and material-specific rates
• Understanding fee disparities across materials and states
• What drives these differences, and how are they affecting material choices?
• Evaluating invoices and what these charges really represent
• How are companies handling EPR fees internally?

Recorded Speakers:

• Geoff Inch, Senior Vice President of Producer Services, Circular Action Alliance
• Olivier Jamin, Counsel, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
• Gisela Romero, Finance Manager, M&A, ESG Finance and Special Projects, Danone

As more states are implementing EPR programs and moving from regulation to rollout, we are witnessing the enforcement landscape beginning to take shape. While many states are focused on onboarding and infrastructure in the short term, producers should expect a clear shift toward compliance enforcement, and eventual penalties for non-compliance.

• Examining how different jurisdictions (like Oregon, Colorado, and California) are structuring fines, grace periods, and corrective timelines
  • Evaluating what’s already been required and what will trigger penalties moving forward
• Forecasting when and how regulators might begin issuing warnings, fines, or public notices
• Devising strategies for legal, regulatory, compliance, and sustainability teams to assess their risk, especially for companies operating across multiple states

Recorded Speakers:

• Karl Heisler, Partner, King & Spalding LLP
• James Pollack, Partner, Marten Law

California’s SB 343 (Truth in Recycling Law) sets strict rules for when recyclability symbols can be used on packaging, thus creating potential liability for misleading claims. This session will examine SB 343 in-depth, as well as its relationship with EPR reporting, greenwashing lawsuits, AG enforcement, and NGO scrutiny.

• Overview of what SB 343 requires and what makes a claim “deceptive” under the law
• Understanding how SB 343 intersects (or conflicts) with state EPR reporting frameworks
• When and how recyclability claims can expose companies to legal risk
• Lessons learned from early warning letters and greenwashing litigation trends
• Developing strategies to meet recyclability and compostability standards across multiple states
• Exploring g how legal, compliance, and marketing teams can align to minimize exposure

Recorded Speakers:

• Catherine W. Johnson, Principal, Environmental General Counsel PC
• Abby Meyer, Partner, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Moderated by: Sam Jockel, Partner, Alston & Bird LLP

This practical, FAQ-driven panel will address real-world questions that companies are asking as they prepare for reporting deadlines and enforcement.

• What do EPR laws require of manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers?
• How are companies aligning internal teams (legal, sustainability, compliance) to handle reporting and product labeling compliance, especially for recyclability or compostability claims?
• Are state programs likely to harmonize over time, or are we heading for permanent fragmentation?

Recorded Speakers:

• Cynthia L Gibson, SVP & General Counsel, Bush Brothers & Company
• Anders Persson, Regulatory Affairs Leader, Extended Producer Responsibility, Inter IKEA Group
• Meredith Connor, Senior Analyst- Sustainability, Ferrero

This session brings together representatives from leading trade associations for a focused discussion on how their members are navigating packaging EPR laws.

• Exploring how trade associations are coordinating industry responses to EPR rulemakings
• Analyzing key compliance challenges unique to each sector: e.g., refillable and small-format packaging in the beauty industry, vs. high-volume waste in food packaging
• Examining how associations are supporting members with education, tools, and collective advocacy
• EPR for Textiles

Recorded Speakers:

• Molly Blessing, Vice President, Sustainability & Product Stewardship, Household & Commercial Products Association
• Chelsea Murtha, Senior Director, Sustainability, American Apparel & Footwear Association
• Mike Smaha, Vice President of Government Affairs, The Can Manufacturers Institute