Today, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a bill into law that establishes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic and packaging materials in the state. Maryland now joins several other states across the nation that have enacted Extended Producer Responsibility policies, which hold producers of packaging financially responsible for their recycling to incentivize waste reduction and keep plastic out of nature. The new law, championed by state Sen. Malcolm Augustine, will require a nonprofit entity, known as a producer responsibility organization, to help companies manage the waste their products create by setting goals for reuse, composting, and recycling rates, as well as contamination reduction.
In response, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement from Alejandro Pérez, senior vice president, policy and government affairs:
"This important measure to reduce discarded plastic will help protect Maryland's natural wonders like the Chesapeake Bay while also delivering tangible benefits for businesses and consumers around the state. Maryland, Minnesota, and Colorado are leading the way by adopting Extended Producer Responsibility policies that create much-needed infrastructure, economic incentives, and consumer accessibility to secure supply chains that manage plastic waste sustainably. Governor Moore and state lawmakers' leadership in making Maryland the latest state to embrace this commonsense approach brings the nation closer to a more effective waste management system where packaging is designed to be recyclable or reusable from the start."
