How packaging producers are working through EPR mandates

As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates begin gearing up in a handful of states, food producers and packaging manufacturers are keeping a close eye on developments. EPR holds producers rather than municipalities and taxpayers financially and operationally responsible for end-of-life management of their products and packaging. Oregon was the first to implement fees in 2025.

Jorge Izquierdo, vice president of market development, PMMI, said some consumer packaged goods companies are reluctant to make changes to comply with EPR rules related to green packaging materials because they are concerned the rules will change.

“Some of them are saying, ‘I will pay the fee right now rather than developing a new product for any standard that will be changing soon,’” he explained.

The recyclable materials can be challenging to run through packaging machines.

“Producers are actively seeking solutions that comply with EPR mandates focusing on reducing their environmental impact,” said Josh Hughes, inside sales manager, Burford Corp., a subsidiary of Middleby Corp. “In turn, packaging industry suppliers are working to help alleviate these challenges by developing more eco-friendly materials and supporting recycling initiatives. Burford Corp. is actively working both internally, designing equipment to help our customers meet these requirements, and externally by collaborating with closure consumables suppliers to ensure our equipment can process sustainable closure materials effectively and efficiently.”

The industry must unite to ensure the information provided to state and federal lawmakers is both accurate and balanced, said Jeff Almond, senior director, snack food industry, Heat and Control.

“At the same time, they must make plans to adjust their supply chain to meet the requirements of each state while ensuring that all concerned understand the consequences of the individual state mandates,” he added.

Dennis Gunnell, president, Formost Fuji, said film suppliers are putting a lot of energy into sustainable materials, including mono-material packaging that is biodegradable or compostable.

“From our standpoint, we're looking at ways to run it more efficiently through the equipment because if you're able to run cookies at 200 a minute, and then with a sustainable material you're only able to get 120 a minute, that's a huge hit,” he said. “And we've got to figure out ways to handle that.”