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Nothing in the print industry stays static. New technologies, shifts in consumer demand and updates to regulatory compliance standards keep print an ever-evolving landscape. In the U.S. market, the next major change will likely center on the adoption of extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in 7 states.
EPR laws are reshaping how printers manage waste, placing greater emphasis — and responsibility — on eco-friendly approaches to waste management. For printers whose customers send paper or packaging into EPR states, this means close collaboration with paper manufacturers and merchants on EPR compliance will become essential.
Here, we’ll provide a quick overview of EPR laws, how printers are likely to be affected by these laws and the short-term strategies companies can use to prepare for the implementation of EPR.
EPR laws require producers of packaging and printed paper to fund end-of-life management activities such as collection and recycling. This policy shifts the financial burden from local municipalities to the companies that manufacture or place these products on the market.
Originating in Sweden in 1990, EPR for paper and packaging is now standard in the European Union and Canada. In the U.S., these laws have gained significant momentum, with California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington already having them on the books. Additional states are likely to implement EPR in the coming years.
Paper is one of the common materials included in EPR — specifically paper that is used for product packaging. The three types of packaging that are affected by EPR includes:
It’s worth noting that most states focus on primary and secondary packaging, though some states do include all three types. California’s regulations extend to tertiary packaging, which makes alignment with EPR even more critical for printers to reduce the impact of EPR fees.
Printing-writing paper is also included in EPR in certain states - Oregon, Colorado, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington. This includes printed paper (including marketing materials and direct mail) and sometimes includes copy paper. Bound books are usually exempt.
Anyone in the paper industry supply chain could be considered a producer, thereby obligating them to pay fees. This depends on the EPR laws in each state, but producers can include paper manufacturers, converters, brand owners, retailers, distributors, publishers and printers.
In most cases, the brand owner is the first obligated producer. There are also print‑volume thresholds that companies must exceed to be classified as producers; this threshold is often more than 25 tons annually.
EPR programs are administered by Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), which set the fees; Circular Action Alliance is currently the only PRO active in the United States. In EPR states, producers join a PRO, must provide sales data and are then assessed a fee based on the weight and recyclability of the materials they use. Costs increase when environmentally damaging substrates are used.
This affects printers in a number of key ways. Printers that are classified as producers will be required to collect detailed data on substrates, formats, and weights and report this information on a quarterly or annual basis. They will need much greater visibility and transparency into material use, which will require new workflows and data‑reporting processes.
Many commercial printers in the packaging space are already prioritizing eco‑friendly materials to align with customer expectations for more sustainable print, such as FSC-certified paper or biobased inks. EPR laws will further increase the importance of environmentally friendly materials and will likely drive design and process innovation to reduce over‑packaging, avoid non‑recyclable materials and prioritize easily recyclable substrates.
Printers that can recommend more eco‑friendly materials, packaging design alternatives or other strategies that align with EPR goals make themselves more valuable to customers, elevating their role from vendor to true partner.
For printers operating in states that do not yet have EPR laws on the books, there are a few key actions to consider now in advance of implementation — and these same steps can also benefit printers in states where EPR is already in effect.
First, printers need to establish governance that creates a clear decision‑making process for navigating EPR, along with defined accountability for how the necessary data will be collected and submitted to a PRO.
In addition, printers should evaluate their current material data collection and reporting capabilities to identify gaps relative to EPR requirements. Once these gaps are clear, they can develop a roadmap to close them and build a more data‑driven approach to material sourcing and usage that helps reduce EPR fees without sacrificing print quality.
Sylvamo is at the forefront of EPR, helping printers align with these new laws and providing guidance on the right paper choices to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective print for their customers.
We are the strategic paper manufacturer commercial printers need to source sheets that are compliance-ready and help create stunning print and color quality. Contact us to learn more.