Starting from July 1st, several states in the United States have implemented new packaging-related laws, including expanded producer responsibility requirements and bans on specific single-use items. These laws may have a ripple effect on plastic processors.
Delaware
In Delaware, restaurants and businesses will be prohibited from providing ready-to-eat food or beverages in polystyrene foam (foam plastic) containers. The legislation also bans single-use plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail sticks, and sandwich picks. According to the legislation, single-use plastic straws can only be provided upon customer request. The Delaware law includes specific exemptions: coolers or freezers used for processing or transporting seafood; containers used for raw, uncooked, or butchered meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, fruits, or vegetables; patients or residents in hospitals and long-term care facilities; pre-packaged foods with straws attached, such as juice boxes; fire companies, healthcare providers, outpatient medical service institutions, and non-profit organizations including religious institutions.
Illinois
In Illinois, hotels with 50 or more guest rooms will be prohibited from using small single-use personal care product bottles. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2960 into law on August 9, 2024. The law will apply to all hotels on January 1, 2026. Similar legislation has been passed in California, Washington, and New York.
Virginia
The ban on single-use expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam containers in Virginia will be implemented in two phases: food suppliers with 20 or more Virginia stores must comply by July 1, 2025, while all other food suppliers must comply by July 1, 2026. Several states have also reached important milestones in their extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging: Oregon's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act came into effect on July 1st, requiring manufacturers of packaging, paper products, and food service items to join producer responsibility organizations (PROs) and provide funding for the end-of-life management of their materials. Minnesota has set July 1st as the deadline for producers to register their EPR plans. The Colorado Circular Action Coalition has set July 31st as the deadline for data reporting. These laws represent a significant step towards holding manufacturers accountable for the environmental impact of their packaging products throughout their life cycle.
