Tracker · United States
Packaging Regulation in the United States
Every packaging rule in the United States that we have sourced so far: EPR, taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling and deposit return, with dates, rates and the official text.
In short
As of 13 October 2026
As of 13 October 2026, Strategic Packaging Insights tracks 13 packaging rules in the United States: 11 in force and 2 adopted but not yet applying. Extended producer responsibility for packaging is in force (Minnesota Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act).
Key facts
Packaging rules in the United States at a glance
- Latest change: California SB 343 recyclability labelling restrictions (California Legislature / CalRecycle, 4 October 2026).
- By type: 7 EPR, 3 Ban, 2 Recycled content and 1 Labelling.
In force now in the United States
EPR (6)
Minnesota Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act
SPI summary Minnesota's 2024 law requires packaging and paper producers to be registered members of a PRO (Circular Action Alliance) from 1 July 2025. The first stewardship plan is due 1 October 2028 and producer-funded reimbursement of service costs starts in 2029.
From the source “Producers must be registered members of the PRO.”
Materials: All packaging
Minnesota Legislature / MPCA · Minnesota · Applies from 1 Jul 2025 · MPCA fact sheet: Packaging waste and cost reduction act (impacted parties)
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: status, SPI summary
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourcedOregon Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582)
SPI summary Producers of packaging, paper products and food serviceware must join an approved producer responsibility organization and pay fees that fund recycling system upgrades. Circular Action Alliance is the approved PRO and could charge member fees from 1 July 2025.
From the source “Oregon's approved PRO CAA was allowed to begin charging fees from member producers on July 1, 2025.”
Materials: Plastic, Paper and board, Metal, Glass
Oregon Legislature / Oregon DEQ · Oregon · Applies from 1 Jul 2025 · Oregon DEQ: Producers of Covered Products
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: rate note
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourcedWashington Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284)
SPI summary Producers of packaging and paper products must join and fund a PRO under chapter 70A.208 RCW: appoint a PRO by 1 January 2026 and be a member of a registered PRO after 1 July 2026. From 1 March 2029 non-member producers may not sell covered products in Washington. Statewide curbside service expansion begins in 2030.
From the source “After July 1, 2026, be a member of a producer responsibility organization registered in this state”
Materials: Plastic, Paper and board, Metal, Glass
Washington Legislature / Department of Ecology · Washington · Applies from 27 Jul 2025 · Washington State Legislature: RCW 70A.208.040
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: status, SPI summary, rate note, source, source link, quote
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourcedMaryland packaging and paper products producer responsibility (SB 901)
SPI summary Maryland's 2025 law (Chapter 431) requires producers of packaging and paper products to be covered by a producer responsibility organization. From 1 July 2026 the PRO must file an annual registration with MDE, and the first producer responsibility plan is due 1 July 2028. MDE has adopted rules in COMAR 26.04.14.
From the source “Approved by the Governor, May 13, 2025.”
Materials: Plastic, Paper and board, Metal, Glass
Maryland General Assembly / MDE · Maryland · Applies from 1 Jun 2025 · Maryland General Assembly: Chapter 431 (SB 901)
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: status, SPI summary, rate note
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourcedCalifornia SB 54 packaging EPR and permanent regulations
SPI summary SB 54 requires producers of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware to join a PRO (Circular Action Alliance) and meet 2032 source reduction, recycling and recyclability goals. Permanent regulations were approved on 1 May 2026, and registration requirements applied by 1 June 2026.
From the source “on May 1, 2026, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the permanent regulations”
Materials: Plastic, Paper and board, Metal, Glass
California Legislature / CalRecycle · California · Applies from 1 May 2026 · CalRecycle: SB 54 Permanent Regulations approved and in effect
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: rate note
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourcedColorado Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling (HB22-1355)
SPI summary Producers of packaging and paper products must participate in the program run by Circular Action Alliance, whose plan was approved in December 2025. Producers had to pay dues on covered materials from January 2026, and since July 2025 non-participating producers may not sell covered products in Colorado.
From the source “Producers must pay producer responsibility dues on 'covered materials' to the program in January 2026”
Materials: Plastic, Paper and board, Metal, Glass
Colorado General Assembly / CDPHE · Colorado · CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: rate note
- Verified
- Added
EPRIn forceEnactedSourced
Ban (3)
Oregon polystyrene foam and PFAS foodware ban (SB 543)
SPI summary From 1 January 2025 Oregon food vendors may not use polystyrene foam containers for prepared food, and businesses may not sell polystyrene foam containers, foam packing peanuts, or foodware containers with intentionally added PFAS.
From the source “No, business may not use or sell prohibited materials after Jan. 1, 2025.”
Materials: Plastic
Oregon Legislature / Oregon DEQ · Oregon · Applies from 1 Jan 2025 · Oregon DEQ: Foodware Containers and Polystyrene Foam
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · Verified by the SPI team on 13 Oct 2026 · History (2)
- Verified
- Added
BanIn forceEnactedVerifiedWashington expanded polystyrene foam ban
SPI summary Washington bans sale and distribution of EPS foam packing peanuts and loose fill (from June 2023), and EPS foam food service products such as clamshells, plates, bowls, cups and trays, and portable coolers (from 1 June 2024).
From the source “Beginning June 1, most containers made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) will be illegal to sell or distribute in Washington.”
Materials: Plastic
Washington Legislature / Department of Ecology · Washington · Applies from 1 Jun 2024 · Washington Ecology news release, 29 May 2024
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: rate note
- Verified
- Added
BanIn forceEnactedSourcedCalifornia EPS food service ware sales restriction (SB 54)
SPI summary Under SB 54, producers may not sell or distribute expanded polystyrene food service ware in California unless EPS meets a 25% recycling rate. The rate was not met, so restrictions apply statewide from 1 January 2025. Retailers, distributors and restaurants that are not producers are not subject to the restriction.
25% Required EPS recycling rate as of 1 Jan 2025; required rates increase in later years.
From the source “Statewide sales and distribution restrictions are in place as of January 1, 2025.”
Materials: Plastic
CalRecycle · California · Applies from 1 Jan 2025 · CalRecycle: EPS Food Service Ware Requirements
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: SPI summary
- Verified
- Added
BanIn forceEnactedSourced
Recycled content (2)
New Jersey Recycled Content Law (P.L.2021, c.391)
SPI summary Sets minimum postconsumer recycled content for plastic beverage containers, rigid plastic containers, glass containers, paper and plastic carryout bags and plastic trash bags, rising in steps from 2024. Plastic beverage containers need 15% from 2024 and 20% from 2027, reaching 50% in 2044; glass containers need 35%.
15% Plastic beverage containers, 2024 level; 20% in 2027. Rigid plastic containers 10% (2024) rising to 50% (2036).
From the source “On January 18, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed P.L. 2021, c. 391 (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.135 et seq.)”
Materials: Plastic, Paper and board, Glass
New Jersey Legislature / NJDEP · New Jersey · Applies from 18 Jan 2024 · NJDEP Recycled Content Law FAQ
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: materials, SPI summary
- Verified
- Added
Recycled contentIn forceEnactedSourcedCalifornia minimum recycled content for plastic beverage containers (AB 793)
SPI summary Plastic beverage containers subject to California's redemption value must contain postconsumer recycled plastic: 15% from 2022, 25% from 1 January 2025, and 50% from 1 January 2030. Shortfalls are penalised at $0.20 per pound.
25% Current requirement from 1 Jan 2025; rises to 50% on 1 Jan 2030.
From the source “25% on January 1, 2025”
Materials: Plastic
California Legislature / CalRecycle · California · Applies from 1 Jan 2022 · CalRecycle: Plastic Minimum Content Standards and Reporting (AB 793)
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · Verified by the SPI team on 13 Oct 2026 · History (2)
- Verified
- Added
Recycled contentIn forceEnactedVerified
Adopted and proposed
Rules that are not yet applying. The status changes when a rule takes effect or is withdrawn.
California SB 343 recyclability labelling restrictions
SPI summary SB 343 limits use of the chasing-arrows symbol and recyclable claims to materials meeting CalRecycle's criteria, for products and packaging made after 4 October 2026. On 14 July 2026 a federal court preliminary injunction blocked enforcement, so the restrictions are not currently enforced.
From the source “Labeling restrictions established by SB 343 apply to products and packaging manufactured after October 4, 2026”
Materials: All packaging
California Legislature / CalRecycle · California · Applies from 4 Oct 2026 · CalRecycle: SB 343 Accurate Recycling Labels
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Changed: status, SPI summary, rate note
- Verified
- Added
LabellingAdopted, not yet applyingEnactedSourcedMaine Stewardship Program for Packaging (EPR)
SPI summary Maine law 38 M.R.S. §2146 makes packaging producers fund municipal recycling through a stewardship organization. The program rule (Chapter 428) was adopted in December 2024 and amended in March 2026. No stewardship organization is under contract: a 2026 RFP received no proposals (announced 20 August 2026) and on 11 September 2026 DEP announced it will revise the RFP. First payment dates are not set.
From the source “Stewardship Organization RFP-202605094 Announcement: No Proposals Submitted as of Deadline.”
Materials: All packaging
Maine Legislature / Maine DEP · Maine · Maine DEP: Stewardship Program for Packaging
Source consulted 13 Oct 2026 · Verified by the SPI team on 13 Oct 2026 · History (3)
- Verified
- Changed: SPI summary, rate note
- Added
EPRAdopted, not yet applyingEnactedVerified
Timeline of packaging rules in the United States
How the United States compares
| Jurisdiction | Rules | In force | EPR | Taxes | Bans | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Austria | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Canada | 6 | 6 | Yes | 0 | 2 | — |
| Chile | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| China | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Colombia | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| European Union | 18 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 12 Aug 2028 |
| France | 3 | 3 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Germany | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| India | 4 | 4 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Ireland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Kenya | 2 | 2 | Yes | 0 | 1 | — |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| Philippines | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Poland | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
| Spain | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | — |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 1 | — |
| United Kingdom | 7 | 5 | Yes | 1 | 2 | 1 Oct 2027 |
| United States | 13 | 11 | Yes | 0 | 3 | — |
| Vietnam | 1 | 1 | Yes | 0 | 0 | — |
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About the SPI Regulation Tracker
- Purpose
- To show packaging teams which rules on packaging and packaging waste apply where, from when, and at what rate, with the official text one click away.
- Coverage
- 79 rules in 25 jurisdictions: extended producer responsibility, packaging taxes, bans, recycled-content and reuse targets, labelling, deposit return, design and reporting rules. Coverage is growing and is not complete for any jurisdiction.
- Data sources
- Official journals and gazettes, legislatures, ministries, regulators and the bodies that run each scheme. Each rule names its source, links to it and quotes it.
- SPI Methodology
- An analyst finds the rule in its source, records the facts (authority, dates, rate, materials) and copies a short quote. The SPI summary and SPI note are our reading of the source and are labelled. A second SPI team member then re-checks the rule against the source; it is then marked Verified. Any later change to the facts sends it back to Sourced and is logged in its history.
- Limitations
- Not legal advice. 33 of 79 rules have had a second check so far. Rates and dates can change after the date a source was consulted, and secondary legislation, guidance and local rules may not be listed. Always rely on the official text.
- Access
- Free to read and to download as CSV, with weekly change alerts by e-mail. For a mapping of the rules to your own products and markets, request a briefing.
- Corrections
- Found an error or a missing rule? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com with the rule ID and the source. Corrections are logged in the rule history.
Questions
Does the United States have packaging EPR?
Yes. In force: Minnesota Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act (Minnesota), Oregon Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582) (Oregon), Washington Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284) (Washington) and Maryland packaging and paper products producer responsibility (SB 901) (Maryland). Each rule is listed on this page with its authority, dates and official source.
Is there a packaging tax in the United States?
We have not yet recorded a packaging tax or levy in force in the United States as of 13 October 2026.
Which packaging items are banned in the United States?
Bans in force: Oregon polystyrene foam and PFAS foodware ban (SB 543) (Oregon), Washington expanded polystyrene foam ban (Washington) and California EPS food service ware sales restriction (SB 54) (California).
What are the rows in this tracker based on?
Each rule links to the source it was taken from, usually the legal text in an official journal or gazette or the page of the ministry, regulator or agency that runs it, with a short quote from that source. 33 of the 79 rules have also been re-checked against the source by a second SPI team member and are marked Verified; the others are marked Sourced. Always confirm against the linked text before relying on a rule.
What is the difference between the source quote and the SPI summary?
The quote is copied from the official source. The SPI summary and any SPI note are our own reading of it, written in plain language, and are labelled as such.
What do the statuses mean?
Enacted rules are law: in force (applies now), adopted (passed, but obligations start later), expired or withdrawn. Proposed rules are formal proposals or drafts that are not yet law.
Is this legal advice?
No. The tracker summarises official texts so you can see what applies and when. Always check the linked legal text, or ask us for a compliance briefing for your products and markets.
How current is a row, and what changed?
Each rule shows the date its source was consulted and a history of every change made to it since it was added. Rules are added and changed as the SPI team finds them, and a weekly source check re-opens the sources behind open points such as pending implementing acts, court cases and fee announcements.
Ask the SPI team
Which rules apply to your packs?
Tell us your products, materials and markets. An analyst maps the obligations, fees and deadlines that apply, with every source.
Prefer email? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com.
- Q1
Which packaging rules apply to us in each market we sell in?
We map each market's EPR, tax, ban, recycled-content, labelling and deposit rules against your materials and formats, and show which are in force, adopted or only proposed.
- Q2
What could EPR fees and plastic taxes cost us next year?
We apply published fee tables and tax rates to your tonnages and recycled content, and show the result as scenarios with every rate sourced.
- Q3
Can you tell us when a rule changes?
Yes. The free tracker alerts cover rule changes by country; a monitoring retainer adds monthly notes on what the changes mean for your portfolio.