The Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act (Minn. Stat. § 115A.144-115A.1463) creates an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products statewide. EPR policies incentivize more sustainable design and hold producers responsible for reducing the environmental impacts of the items they produce and managing these items throughout the entire life cycle. In early 2024, Minnesota became the fifth state to pass a packaging EPR law.
Under the law, the MPCA is required to complete a preliminary assessment in 2025 and a needs assessment in 2026. The two assessments will gather critical information about packaging and paper product introduction, use and reuse, and management in Minnesota that will inform the development of the program statewide.
The first of these two reports, the preliminary assessment is posted for public comment. At this meeting, you will hear a short presentation on the draft report and have an opportunity for questions and make a public comment on the draft report.
This preliminary assessment was conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting on behalf of the MPCA and includes:
- a summary of the amount and types of packaging, food packaging, and paper products sold and distributed in and into the state, along with the tonnages collected in the state
- an overview of the existing infrastructure, processing abilities, and capacity of facilities managing these materials
- pricing and contractual information for collection, including organized collection contracting, and service costs