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AF&PA Raises Cost Concerns as EPR Expands in U.S. States

As more U.S. states consider extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, the American Forest & Paper Association warns the policy could raise the cost of everyday goods.

EPR programs require manufacturers to finance the collection, recycling, and disposal of the packaging and products they place on the market. The approach aims to support recycling systems, which in the United States are largely managed by local governments and private waste operators.

According to AF&PA, shifting these costs to producers could eventually affect prices for common consumer products. Paper and paper packaging are widely used in daily life—from shipping boxes and cereal cartons to pharmacy bags and tissue packaging—and industry groups say new regulatory fees can move through the supply chain and appear in retail prices.

The association also notes that paper is already one of the most widely recycled materials in the United States, raising questions about whether EPR would significantly improve paper recycling.

AF&PA Raises Cost Concerns as EPR Expands in U.S. States

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