Circular Action Alliance, a nonprofit producer responsibility organization founded by Coca-Cola, Amazon, Unilever and other major brands and retailers, has submitted its initial program plan to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for implementation of the state’s extended producer responsibility for packaging law.
Whereas other states have selected a single PRO, Oregon’s law allows for multiple PROs to operate programs in coordination with one another. But according to DEQ, CAA was the only prospective PRO to submit a program plan by the March 31 deadline.
“As the single PRO to submit a program plan in Oregon, CAA is committed to supporting all obligated producers in funding recycling system improvements and ensuring their packaging is managed responsibly after use,” CAA said in a press release Tuesday.
Thus far, CAA has engaged throughout the rulemaking process in Oregon. “We are proud to submit our first plan, following many months of consultation with producers, local governments, services providers, nongovernmental organizations and DEQ,” Charlie Schwarze, CAA board chair and senior director of sustainability at Keurig Dr Pepper, said in a statement.
CAA said in its press release that its approach involves “upgrading facilities and improving public participation, understanding, and equity throughout the state’s recycling system.”
Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act was signed into law in August 2021, becoming the second state behind Maine to adopt an EPR for packaging law. The law’s recycling changes are slated to take effect in July 2025, at which time producers are obligated to be members of a PRO. Late last year, Oregon’s Environmental Quality Commission adopted a statewide list of items accepted for recycling. It also defined “responsible end markets” for those materials. CAA estimates its current membership accounts for between 12% to 15% of market share of covered products in the state.
CAA will present on the plan at an April 9 meeting of the Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council. DEQ is accepting public comment on the plan until May 10, and DEQ will complete its review by July 31. CAA is targeting program plan approval at the end of 2024, with disbursement of funds for local government infrastructure expansions between 2025 and 2027. Total program plan funding is expected to total between $356 million and $463 million.
Circular Action Alliance was previously selected as the PRO for Colorado and California. It’s also the sole PRO on the EPR advisory council in Maryland, a state that passed an EPR “study bill,” setting into motion a needs assessment.
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