Showalter Quoted on Circular Economy Demands on US Product Producers

He said “EPR is a significant development for businesses and requires new infrastructure, which can be expensive. Organizations will need to consider which method of recycling or reuse they will employ or perhaps have to identify whether such a method even exists.”

Mike said that in the United States, circular economy legislation is occurring on the state rather than the federal level, citing state initiatives such as bans on plastic bags in retail settings.

Mike added that manufacturers are rethinking packaging, such as constructing bottle caps out of one material, making them easier to recycle. He said that smaller items that are more circular-friendly are also cheaper to ship, “Companies understand [waste minimization] is good for their bottom line.”

Products that work within a circular economy are now seen as a positive attribute, he said, adding that in the United States, consumers should step up the pressure on business.

“Command and control regulations have reached the limit of what they can do,” he said. “People need to push companies for clarity as to what they’re doing.”

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