SPE COURSE: US EPR Laws Surrounding Plastics and Packaging Waste
Course
US EPR Laws Surrounding Plastics and Packaging Waste
May 20, 2026 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET. Online
Summary
EPR laws are changing how plastics and packaging are designed, collected, and recycled in the U.S. This class reviews what the current EPR framework in the US is. We discuss how state-level EPR programs operate, including producer fees, recyclability criteria, and infrastructure investment. Discussion includes how these policies affect materials selection, product design, and supply chain decisions. Challenges associated with navigating the patchwork nature of the regulatory environment are also addressed.
If you can't attend the session live, or if you want to review some concepts, the recording will be available after the session.
Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for professionals who work with plastics, packaging, and sustainability strategies and need to understand the evolving U.S. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) landscape, including:
Packaging and product design engineers
Sustainability and ESG professionals
Regulatory, compliance, and legal teams
Brand owners and product managers
Materials, polymer, and packaging engineers
Recycling and waste-management professionals
Supply chain and procurement leaders
Consultants, policy professionals, and analysts working with packaging regulations
Why Should You Attend?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are rapidly changing how plastics and packaging are designed, collected, financed, and recycled in the United States. As more states adopt EPR programs, companies must adapt to new producer fees, recyclability requirements, and reporting obligations.
This course provides a clear overview of the current U.S. EPR framework and explains how state-level laws impact material selection, packaging design, and business strategy. It is designed to help organizations move from compliance awareness to informed decision-making.
Everyday Problems You’ll Address
How do state-level EPR laws differ across the U.S., and why is compliance so complex?
How are producer fees calculated, and how do they affect packaging cost structures?
What does ‘recyclability’ mean under different EPR programs?
How do EPR requirements influence material selection and packaging design choices?
How should companies plan for investments in recycling infrastructure driven by EPR laws?
How can organizations manage risk in a patchwork regulatory environment with evolving rules?
What You’ll Learn
You will learn:
The current EPR framework in the United States for plastics and packaging waste
How state-level EPR programs operate, including governance structures and funding mechanisms
The role of producer fees, eco-modulation, and recyclability criteria
How EPR policies impact material choices, package design, and supply-chain decisions
Key challenges associated with navigating multiple state EPR programs
Practical considerations for aligning packaging strategies with EPR compliance and long-term recycling goals
Why This Course Matters
EPR laws are reshaping the U.S. packaging and plastics landscape, shifting financial and operational responsibility upstream to producers. Decisions made today about materials, designs, and supply chains will determine future compliance costs and market competitiveness.
This course matters because it:
Helps organizations anticipate regulatory impacts before laws take effect
Reduces compliance risk in a fragmented, state-by-state regulatory environment
Supports smarter material and design decisions aligned with recyclability requirements
Improves coordination between sustainability, engineering, regulatory, and business teams
Enables proactive strategies rather than reactive compliance as EPR expands across the U.S.
Registration Information
SPE Premium Member
FREE
SPE Members
$45
SPE Student Members
$25
(Student but not a student member? Join SPE for free to get program discounts!)
Dr. Zacharia was trained as a materials scientist (MIT) focusing in bio and polymeric materials, followed by a postdoc at the University of Toronto. She was faculty at Texas A&M University in mechanical engineering and then at the University of Akron in Polymer Engineering. Since 2019 she has been at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where she is the Program Director for online engineering programs in polymers.
This educational program is provided as a service of SPE. The views and opinions expressed on this or any SPE educational program are those of the Speaker(s) and/or the persons appearing with the Speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. (SPE) or its officials, employees or designees. To comment or to present an opposing or supporting opinion, please contact us at info@4SPE.org.
Refund Policy
Full refund 14 days prior to the event start date. Please contact customerrelations@4spe.org for assistance with registration.
Copyright & Permission to Use
When you enter a SPE, a division of PLASTICS event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by SPE and their affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of SPE. You release SPE, their officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by SPE or the person or entity designated to do so by SPE. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.
Anti-Trust Statement
No discussion among members, volunteers, or staff, which attempts to arrive at any agreement regarding prices, terms or conditions of sale, distribution, volume, territories, or customers;
No activity or communication which might be construed as an attempt to prevent any person or business entity from gaining access to any market or customer for goods or services or any business entity from obtaining services or a supply of goods;
No activity or communication which might be construed as an agreement to refrain from purchasing or using any materials, equipment, services or supplies of or from any supplier; or
No other activity which violates anti-trust or applicable laws aimed at preventing unfair competition.
