New Recycling Laws in 2023

Recycling is vitally important, now more than ever. During the pandemic, recycling systems were overwhelmed by increased waste from online shopping, decluttering, and remote work. Many recycling centers became understaffed due to health risks and labor shortages.

As a result, recycling rates declined across all material types. Only 33% of glass and 85% of plastics were recycled in 2020, down from the previous year. Paper and cardboard fared better at 68% and 91.4% respectively, but there is still ample room for improvement.

Meanwhile, landfill capacity is dwindling rapidly. Vermont's sole landfill has just 20 years remaining. Fundamental changes are critical to avoid waste management crises in the coming decades. Progress at the federal level remains slow. Two recent bills aim to expand access to recycling programs nationwide and develop a national composting plan, but neither has gained traction in Congress yet. Separately, chemical recycling methods have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts.

Several states have implemented more aggressive recycling policies:

• California now bans certain toxic chemicals in food packaging. Manufacturers of cookware containing PFAS must also label their products accordingly. In addition, minimum recycled content mandates are now in effect for plastic beverage bottles. Companies failing to meet the 15% threshold face fines.
• Colorado passed extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws requiring manufacturers to fund recycling efforts. Unlike other states, companies must also pay for public education and capital investments to expand local programs.
• Iowa increased monetary incentives for recycling centers and dealers to 3 cents per container. Requirements for distributors to collect recycled materials were also enacted.
• New Jersey enacted extensive recycled content mandates covering products like paper, glass, and plastic. Requirements start at 10-25% post-consumer recycled content in 2024 and scale up to 40-50% by 2036-2045 depending on the material.
• New York shifted the cost burden of recycling electronics from consumers to manufacturers. In a separate change, Walmart stopped providing free paper bags statewide, requiring shoppers to bring reusable bags.
• Oregon is launching a pilot program to reduce contamination in recycling and make producers responsible for program costs. Efforts are also underway to improve recycling access in multi-family housing units.
• South Carolina enhanced laws making manufacturers responsible for recycling e-waste. Weight-based fees were eliminated to facilitate recycling of bulkier electronics like TVs and computer components.
• Burlington, Vermont will require households use covered recycling bins by May 1st to prevent windblown litter. The city is selling subsidized bins to facilitate compliance.
• Washington is considering an act to make companies responsible for hard-to-recycle packaging. A bottle deposit program is also proposed to boost recycling rates.

All stakeholders - including lawmakers, manufacturers, and individual citizens - have a part to play in transforming our recycling system. But real change starts with learning exactly what materials your local program accepts, and taking simple steps like reusing goods and shopping sustainably whenever possible. Small everyday actions, multiplied by millions, can drive major progress.

Written by: Sachit Tumuluri