Minnesota Names Circular Action Alliance as Producer Responsibility Organization

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced that the Circular Action Alliance will be the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for the state’s Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act. In 2024, Minnesota became the fifth U.S. state to implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging and paper products.

The Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act required MPCA to establish a Producer Responsibility Advisory Board and appoint a PRO by January 1, 2025. The Act also requires the MPCA to conduct a needs assessment to evaluate waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting of covered materials, which the PRO will use to determine performance targets for producers. (For more information on Minnesota’s Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, see the Packaginglaw.com article, New Minnesota Law Establishes EPR Scheme for Packaging.)

CAA was also selected to implement EPR programs in Colorado, California, and Minnesota, and has also been named the PRO for Maryland, where an EPR needs assessment is occurring.