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Regulatory Clutter: Five Steps to Plastic Policy Compliance in Retail

Implement proactive, comprehensive plans to mitigate the impact of plastic regulations on your retail packaging and operations.

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS:

Kate Perry, Senior Program Manager for Sustainability Solutions, is a lifelong environmental activist and a generalist in management solutions. With over 15 years of experience in environmental client and program management, Kate supports our team of sustainability solutions subject matter experts and provides strategy and expertise in this growing market segment.

Kate Perry
Sr. Program Manager, Sustainability Solutions
APTIM | Environmental & Energy Solutions
Katherine.Perry@APTIM.com
Kate is a lifelong environmental activist and a generalist in management solutions. With over 15 years of experience in environmental client and program management, Kate supports our team of sustainability solutions subject matter experts and provides strategy and expertise in this growing market segment.

 

 

Kelly York, Waste Program Manager for Sustainability Solutions, is a versatile project manager and expert in waste minimization and regulatory interpretation. With nine years of experience in the solid waste recycling, organics, and hauling industry, Kelly manages regulatory compliance programs for both public and private organizations. Her extensive accomplishments include leading waste characterizations studies, process evaluations, and upstream procurement assessments to improve on-site material management.Kelly York
Waste Program Manager, Sustainability Solutions
APTIM | Environmental & Energy Solutions
Kelly.York@APTIM.com
Kelly is a versatile project manager and expert in waste minimization and regulatory interpretation. With nine years of experience in the solid waste recycling, organics, and hauling industry, Kelly manages regulatory compliance programs for both public and private organizations. Her extensive accomplishments include leading waste characterizations studies, process evaluations, and upstream procurement assessments to improve on-site material management.

 

Regulatory Clutter: Five Steps to Plastic Policy Compliance in Retail

Retailers are notoriously subject to extensive and evolving environmental regulations that fluctuate from state to state, complicating compliance. Waste regulations, in particular, are becoming increasingly detailed and difficult to comply with, even for the largest and most prepared companies.

Recently, two bills were introduced in Oregon and California, respectively, with the purpose of addressing single-use plastics (SUP). Straws, packaging, and other SUPs pose significant environmental problems due to their non-biodegradability, accumulation in landfills and oceans, and the release of harmful chemicals and microplastics, impacting wildlife and potentially human health. The retail industry has a role to play in addressing these challenges, as packaging accounts for approximately 36% of all plastic produced annually.

Let’s review the provisions of these new West Coast waste minimization regulations, including potential impacts on your retail operations.

Oregon: Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582)

The Recycling Modernization Act was designed to increase recycling and reduce plastics and packaging for packaging producers, companies that manufacture or import packaging (including retailers with private label products), and wholesalers that sell packaging and food serviceware within the state of Oregon. Qualifying organizations will be required to:

  • Submit their first supply reports detailing the materials they put into the market by March 31.
  • Register with a Producer Responsibility Organization (i.e., Circular Action Alliance) and begin paying fees by July 1 to support the state’s recycling infrastructure.

As part of the second ongoing requirement, businesses must track packaging and recyclability rates and submit those reports to the Producer Responsibility Organization annually. Fees will be determined based on the materials reported.

California: Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Act (SB 54)

In California, packaging makes up over 50% of waste sent to landfills. The state signed Senate Bill 54 into law to reduce single-use packaging and plastic food serviceware. Retailers selling private label products with plastic packaging and groceries with proprietary brand packaging will be affected.

To comply, businesses must ensure plastic packaging meets recycle and compost standards, tracking and submitting plastic packaging reduction data annually. The preliminary reporting deadline is August 31. Penalties for non-compliance after the initial deadline could result in fines of up to $50,000 per violation per day.

How to Get Started With Plastic Compliance

For retailers, it is essential to understand the nuances of these requirements and where they fit into your regulatory matrix. Missing key dates or falling short on identifying all applicable partners in your supply chain can be costly and time-consuming. There are several initial steps to take to ensure plastic policy compliance:

  1. Identify all packaging materials currently in use and assess applicability.
  2. Engage suppliers to transition to recyclable/compostable materials.
  3. Register with Producer Responsibility Organization (i.e., Circular Action Alliance) as soon as possible for both states.
  4. Establish internal tracking systems to meet reporting requirements.
  5. Prepare for fee structures based on recyclability compliance.

Your Partner in Environmental Compliance

APTIM’s team of waste experts has dedicated years of service to clients in the retail industry and specializes in navigating new and difficult areas of regulation. Identifying our clients’ needs, developing a solutions roadmap, embedding routine assessments, and developing long-term strategies for success is our bread and butter. Don’t wait until the last minute to create your plan for success.

Begin today with an assessment of your company’s compliance needs and get ahead of future regulations by contacting APTIM at Kelly.York@APTIM.com.

APTIM. In Pursuit of Better.

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