Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws make the producers of packaging pay for its end-of-life collection and recycling. Seven U.S. states have enacted packaging EPR laws, covering roughly one in five Americans. This page compares EPR laws by state: the governing statute, whether fees are live, when fees begin, the de minimis exemption, and the maximum penalty in each state. For pending bills and weekly updates, see the EPR Atlas hub.
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All seven states with enacted packaging EPR laws are compared below. Only Oregon and Colorado charge fees today; California uses a draft 2027 schedule, and the rest phase in later.
| State | Law | Fees live? | Fees begin | De minimis exemption | Max penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | HB 3626 | Yes | July 1, 2025 | <1 ton OR <$5M global revenue | $25,000/day |
| Colorado | HB 22-1355 | Yes | January 2026 | <1 ton OR <~$5.5M global revenue | Civil penalties + sales prohibition |
| California | SB 54 | No | 2027 (post program plan approval) | <$1M CA gross sales, must apply | $50,000/day/violation |
| Maine | LD 1423 | No | Late 2026, contingent on SO selection | <1 ton OR <~$2M revenue | DEP enforces (final rules Dec 2024) |
| Minnesota | HF 3911 | No | Feb 1, 2029 (50% cost-share) | <1 ton AND <$2M revenue (both must be met) | MPCA enforcement (TBD) |
| Maryland | SB 901 | No | 2028 or later | <1 ton OR <$2M global revenue | $5,000–$20,000 per violation |
| Washington | E2SSB 5284 | No | 2029–2030 | <$5M revenue (effective Jan 1, 2031) | Ecology enforcement |
Facts derive from the EPR Atlas hub and are updated weekly. For planning only, not legal or compliance advice. Confirm current figures with each state agency or the Circular Action Alliance.
HB 3626, Plastic Pollution & Recycling Modernization Act (2021). Fees are active (July 1, 2025). The de minimis exemption is <1 ton OR <$5M global revenue. Maximum penalty: $25,000/day. Administered by Oregon DEQ through Circular Action Alliance (mandatory). Full Oregon EPR compliance guide →
HB 22-1355, Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling (2022). Fees are active (January 2026). The de minimis exemption is <1 ton OR <~$5.5M global revenue. Maximum penalty: Civil penalties + sales prohibition. Administered by Colorado CDPHE through Circular Action Alliance. Full Colorado EPR compliance guide →
SB 54 / AB 2784, Plastic Pollution Prevention & Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (2022). Fees begin in 2027 (post program plan approval) under CAA's draft fee schedule. The de minimis exemption is <$1M CA gross sales, must apply. Maximum penalty: $50,000/day/violation. Administered by CalRecycle through Circular Action Alliance. Full California EPR compliance guide →
LD 1541 (2021) / LD 1423 (signed Jun 2025). Fees are projected to begin Late 2026, contingent on SO selection. The de minimis exemption is <1 ton OR <~$2M revenue. Maximum penalty: DEP enforces (final rules Dec 2024). Administered by Maine DEP through SO pending - RFP issued Jun 2026; CAA intends to respond. Full Maine EPR compliance guide →
HF 3911, Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act (2024). Fees are projected to begin Feb 1, 2029 (50% cost-share). The de minimis exemption is <1 ton AND <$2M revenue (both must be met). Maximum penalty: MPCA enforcement (TBD). Administered by Minnesota MPCA through Circular Action Alliance. Full Minnesota EPR compliance guide →
SB 901, Maryland Packaging and Paper Products Stewardship Act (2025). Fees are projected to begin 2028 or later. The de minimis exemption is <1 ton OR <$2M global revenue. Maximum penalty: $5,000–$20,000 per violation. Administered by Maryland MDE through Circular Action Alliance (multi-PRO system). Full Maryland EPR compliance guide →
E2SSB 5284, Recycling Reform Act (2025). Fees are projected to begin 2029–2030. The de minimis exemption is <$5M revenue (effective Jan 1, 2031). Maximum penalty: Ecology enforcement. Administered by Washington Ecology through Circular Action Alliance. Full Washington EPR compliance guide →
Beyond the seven enacted states, packaging EPR bills have been introduced in states including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan. None have been enacted yet, and several have stalled across sessions. The EPR Atlas hub tracks pending legislation and posts a weekly What's New update.
Every state guide has the full fee schedule, registration deadlines, eco-modulation detail, and exemptions. Start with a state, or estimate your costs in the fee calculator.