Costs, policy divergence and relationships were a big focus at recent events hosted by GreenBlue and NERC. CalRecycle, Oregon DEQ, Circular Action Alliance and others weighed in about what’s next. Stress levels are high for CPG companies and packaging groups as extended producer responsibility programs unfold in multiple states. This was on display at three recent Boston events hosted by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, How2Recycle and the Northeast Recycling Council, with questions flying about costs, policy harmonization and relationships with regulators. While CPGs are familiar with EPR costs from programs in other countries, the complexity and scale of the U.S. rollout in seven states is presenting its own unique challenges. Oregon is the only state that’s begun collecting fees, and already the costs are high. Circular Action Alliance, the producer responsibility organization selected for the majority of state programs to date, estimates a budget of $188 million in the program’s first year, with that figure growing in the years ahead.  Charlie Schwarze, board chair for CAA and senior director of packaging stewardship at Keurig Dr Pepper, said the costs are starting to resonate with major companies. KDP, for example, has been working to sort out different aspects of its packaging in terms of licensing arrangements, private label manufacturing partnerships and other factors.

Highlights - Six Months Ended December 31, 2021 •Net sales of $6,927 million, up 12%; •GAAP Net Income of $427 million, up 3%; GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of 27.9 cents per share, up 5%; •Increasing cash returns to shareholders: quarterly dividend of 12.0 cents per share; $600 million of sharerepurchases expected in fiscal 2022, including an additional $200 million announced today. CEO Ron Delia said: "Amcor delivered a solid first half result as our teams continue to successfully navigate a persistently challenging and dynamic operating environment.”

Diversified Labeling Solutions, a national converter of pressure-sensitive labels, has expanded its RFID label business with the addition of a new Mark Andy flexographic press with an inline Tamarack RFID inserter. As a leading national label supplier, DLS has seen significant growth in the demand for RFID labels. To continue to meet customer demand, and bring RFID label conversion inhouse, DLS has installed a new 13” 4-color Mark Andy 2200 flexographic press with three die cutters, a perforation station and an inline Tamarack P500 RFID module. The new equipment is installed in DLS’ Itasca, IL facility and adds to DLS’s already significant production portfolio. With five nationwide locations, DLS maintains a fleet of over 50 presses including flexographic, UV digital, HP Indigo and hybrid printing equipment.