ASSOCIATED PRESS • July 31, 2021
States across the U.S. are looking to adopt new recycling regimes that require producers of packaging to pay for its inevitable disposal – but industry is digging in to try to halt the movement. Maine became the first state to adopt such a program in July when Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill that requires producers of products that involve packaging materials to pay into a new state fund. Maine’s bill is designed to cut down on plastic, cardboard, paper and other packaging waste by requiring what the state called “producer payments.” The companies can lower the payments by implementing their own, independent recycling programs or simply reducing packaging. The fees will go to a private organization that will reimburse municipalities for recycling and waste management costs and invest in education geared at reducing packaging and improving recycling. But the moves have ignited heavy pushback from several sectors of American industry.