2025 EPR Recap + Why 2026 Is The Year Responsible End Markets Scale US Recycling
2025 EPR Recap + Why 2026 Is The Year Responsible End Markets Scale US Recycling  
Podcast: Change Cycle
Published On: Tue Dec 16 2025
Description: In 2025, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the United States moved decisively from theory to operational reality, laying the groundwork for scaled investment in responsible end markets. Today, Christine Yeager tackles how this shift played out across key states, with Oregon launching the nation’s first modern packaging EPR system, approving fee schedules, and advancing infrastructure projects like the Ashland Modernization Project despite legal challenges, while Colorado finalized its program plan and published fees ahead of major recycling infrastructure expansion in 2026. As California prepares to issue its first EPR invoices—creating significant financial implications for producers—and Circular Action Alliance consolidates reporting deadlines, Christine explains why 2026 will be the year outcomes materialize: service providers seek reimbursements, producers redesign packaging to reduce fees, collection systems mature, and responsible end markets begin to scale across the U.S.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.csyimpact.com/podcastWe can use this ad to promote CSY Impact when someone discussed a particular challenge related to EPR - especially in Geoff Inch & Rachel Zerowin's episodes.