Shifting the cleanup cost of packaging waste to companies could encourage greener packaging – but only if states are aligned

Extended producer responsibility policies are gaining steam in the US, but what they entail can differ widely from state to state.

By: Erin Victor, University of Maine, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 25, 2026

Words: 1,060

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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By Erin Victor, University of Maine

Standing in your local retail store, it can be mind-boggling to try to weigh the pros and cons of all the packaging options. Take shampoo, for example. Shampoo can come in a rigid plastic bottle, a flexible squeeze tube, a refillable metal canister or a solid bar in a paperboard box.

Trying to make environmentally friendly or socially conscious purchasing decisions can be a challenge, as product packaging can …

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