Journal of Science Policy & Governance
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Volume 24, Issue 01 | April 30, 2024
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Policy Memo: Plastic Packaging Waste Management: A Case in Implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility Policies in Minnesota
Marianne Meyersohn
Corresponding author: meye3190@umn.edu |
Keywords: plastic packaging; sustainability; extended producer responsibility; waste management; circular economy
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG240110
Executive Summary
The plastic pollution crisis is a global challenge affecting governments, private citizens, and the environment. Plastic packaging, which makes up approximately 40% of all plastic material produced globally, accounts for less than 10% of recycled material. This discrepancy highlights the rapid growth of various plastic types and difficulty for local governments to implement needed waste management practices or meet required capacities. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is a model for multiple waste streams that places the post-consumer responsibility of a product on the producer. As governments seek to develop legislation to better manage plastic waste, EPR is a policy tool that will promote circularity. This paper discusses the successes and challenges of EPR policies in the European Union (EU), and in states that have enacted them, particularly in California. Many states have introduced or are seeking to introduce legislation on EPR for plastic packaging in the next few years. The Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, a bill for a product stewardship program for plastic and paper packaging materials was recently introduced in the Minnesota state legislature in 2024. This policy paper discusses several EPR policy options and recommendations to improve transparency and success of future EPR bills in states seeking to enact legislation, including Minnesota.
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Background header image courtesy of Supply Chain EDF
Marianne Meyersohn is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota. Her work at the Center for Sustainable Polymers focuses on the design and synthesis of novel polymeric materials from renewable feedstocks for high performance elastomers that can be chemically recycled or degraded. Marianne is passionate about community and civic engagement especially surrounding environmental justice and sustainability topics. She is currently the co-lead of the Twin Cities Science Policy Network and enjoys engaging students in science policy spaces.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Nick Zhang, Chia-Chun (Angela) Liang and Jessica Froula for their feedback on this
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Nick Zhang, Chia-Chun (Angela) Liang and Jessica Froula for their feedback on this
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ISSN 2372-2193
ISSN 2372-2193